Now Seeking Vendors to Help Feed Our Seniors
East Texas Council of Governments and Area Agency on Aging • June 30, 2020
The East Texas Council of Governments
(ETCOG) and the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) are seeking vendors to provide meals to East Texas seniors through its Senior Nutrition Program. The purpose of this Request for Proposals
(RFP) is to establish multiple providers and suppliers for the Senior Nutrition Program to provide nutritious hot lunchtime meals, deliver frozen and/or shelf stable meals and meal site supplies and products to our designated locations in the identified counties of Camp, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rains and Wood to serve individuals who are sixty (60) years of age or older, or spouses/caregivers. Meals are delivered to homebound clients by paid staff and volunteers. The AAA may elect to award more than one contract per service area for the delivery of hot lunchtime meals, frozen meals and/or supplier of products.
The AAA is an organizational and operational division of the ETCOG and authorized to provide services to the senior population and recipients of Medicare of the 14 counties in the East Texas region. The AAA actively works to improve the quality of life of the region’s senior population, those 60 and above and to Medicare/Medicaid recipients needing benefits counseling. This is accomplished through the various programs operated through the agency which include nutrition; information, referral, and assistance; ombudsman; case management and advocacy; benefits counseling; residential repair; and caregiver in-home institutional services; transportation, and caregiver support. The AAA’s primary focus is to help the elderly maintain their health and independence and remain in their homes and communities with dignity and respect for as long as possible.
The Older Americans Act, as amended, provides funds for nutrition services for persons sixty (60) years of age and older. Hot, nutritious meals provided, at a congregate site, five days a week, except with an approved waiver from the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and with home-delivered meals available to those who are not physically able to attend the meal site. Congregate meals are funded under provisions of the Older Americans Act, Title III, Section C.1. Home-delivered meals are funded under the Older Americans Act, Title III, Section C.2, Title XIX of the Social Security Waiver and Title XX of the Social Security Act.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 until December 7, and people with Medicare will have more coverage options to consider. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so our Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) is offering benefits counseling assistance to encourage Medicare recipients to review their coverage choices and decide on the options that best fit their health needs. The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include: Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan) “Medicare Open Enrollment allows you the opportunity to review your healthcare plan and check on your financial well-being, which could also help save costs and coverage,” says AAA Benefits Counselor Nellie Spencer. “Call us and talk to an unbiased, qualified Benefits Counselor. We are also your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and available free of charge to go over your options.” For assistance, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845 to speak to a qualified benefits counselor. Appointments can be made over the phone, in a virtual meeting, or in person. Local Open Enrollment presentations: Benefits counselors will also be available for appointments at these community events during the Open Enrollment period. To reserve your spot, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845. Walk-ins will be accepted. Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living, 421 Avenue A, Palestine, TX Date: Tuesday, November 4th Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm George Washington Carver Community Center, 2303 Holland St., Marshall, TX Date: Thursday, November 6th Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church, 104 State Hwy. 64, Ben Wheeler, TX Date: Thursday, November 13th Time: 1:00 pm-3:30 pm First Christian Church, 1920 Beaumont St., Jacksonville, TX Date: Thursday, November 20th Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams: There are no "limited time offers." Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299. You receive a call about a refund from last year's premiums or your drug plan cost. An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don't need, isn't right for you, or doesn't even exist. Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits. You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan. Agents can NOT cold call you. Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment: If it's "too good to be true," it probably is. Don't trust all the ads you see on TV. Review the plan BEFORE you join. Even if you're not switching, review your current plan to ensure it covers your doctors. Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service. Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card. Don't give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers. Don't let someone push you into making a fast decision. If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately. Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which for East Texas is the AAA. No health care plan is allowed to cold call. Medicare plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov .
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Cornejo as the new Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this role, Cornejo will lead efforts to develop and coordinate services that support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults across ETCOG’s fourteen-county region. Cornejo brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and military service. He most recently worked as an Account Manager for Humana’s Institutional Special Needs Plan program, where he partnered with skilled nursing facilities to improve care coordination, leading to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions. Earlier in his career, Cornejo served in the United States Navy for nearly two decades, rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and managing budgets exceeding $550 million while leading more than 350 Sailors and Marines. “Adrian’s leadership experience in both healthcare and the military has equipped him with the skills and dedication needed to serve East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His background in building partnerships and his deep commitment to public service make him a tremendous asset to our team.” Cornejo shared his enthusiasm for his new role, saying, “It is an honor to join ETCOG and to serve the seniors of East Texas. My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place at the Area Agency on Aging and continue to expand access to services that help older adults and their families live with dignity and independence.” The AAA is administered through ETCOG and is part of a nationwide network created through the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides a wide range of services, including information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education, senior nutrition programs, housing repair, caregiver support, and Ombudsman advocacy for individuals in long-term care facilities. These programs are designed to help older residents remain active and independent in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
