Silver Sneakers Fitness Program for Seniors
Physical Activity Bonus for Senior Citizens in Some Medicare Plans
Feb 22, 2009
As seniors look at possible Medicare supplement plans, it would be worth considering the value found in the health plans which participate in the program called Silver Sneakers. At no additional charge, people with participating Medigap plans find they have a free membership at local fitness centers.
History of Silver Sneakers Program
Starting in 1992, Healthways (earlier called HealthCare Dimensions Incorporated) began with this design and delivery of a preventive health program of fitness accessibility by partnering with a number of health plans, employers, and Medicare Supplement insurers. It is now managed from an Arizona office.
This program targets older adults with the goal of increasing physical activity by making fitness centers more available to seniors. The idea was to motivate individuals to choose healthier lifestyle habits, thus eventually to lower healthcare costs.
Benefits of Silver Sneakers Membership
In order to empower older adults to take charge of their health, this program offers a free fitness center membership along with access to any participating fitness center. Classes and seminars are offered by a trained Senior Advisor to facilitate the process.
One of the goals is to encourage and maintain an active and independent lifestyle while looking to the future by regular physical activity. The members have reduced high-risk,sedentary behaviors by 70%. In addition, almost half reported physical activity at least two days a week. These preventive behaviors contribute to a transformation of health care approaches by this innovative program.
Awards and Recognition Received by Silver Sneakers Program
The program received an award "Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care" in 2008 from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Previous to that in 2006, the International Council on Active Aging presented them with the Industry Innovators Award -- Advance to Wellness.
Other awards include Healthcare and Aging Award and Keiser Silver Eagle Award for Older Adult Programming.
Health Plans and Fitness Centers Participating in Silver Sneakers
Over 40 major health plans across the United States deliver fitness activities to aging adults who are Medicare-eligible at no additional cost above their usual plan costs. This social-oriented program serves over two million members.
The participating companies, available at the SilverSneakers website, vary from state to state but include AARP Medicare Supplement, SecureHorizons (AARP Medicare Complete), Humana, Health Spring, several Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Kaiser Permanete, Bravo Health, and Highmark.
Access to fitness centers, which include YMCA and other similar locations across the country, provide the potential to stay with the program consistently even when traveling.
The Silver Sneakers program, started in the 1990's, continues to provide benefits of physical activity and improved health. This has helped them receive a number of awards. The innovative program involves many health plans and fitness centers who cooperate to bring about a transformation of preventive health care. Perhaps the best news of all, it has no cost above the usual insurance premiums.
Source: Web pages at the SilverSneakers website cited above, as well as 2008 mailout brochure sent to Medicare Supplement plan members. More information on participating health plans and fitness centers can be found at that site.
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