How Can I Enroll In An Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan With Silversneakers
You can find out which Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are available near you and whether or not they include a SilverSneakers membership.
You may enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan beginning 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday or up to 3 months following your birthday. If you choose not to enroll at this time, you may be able to sign up for a plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, also called the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Period, which lasts from October 15 to December 7 every year.
Is Silver& Fit The Same As Silversneakers
Silver& Fit is similar to and is sometimes mistaken for another Medicare fitness program called SilverSneakers.
Both companies offer group fitness classes and exercise opportunities to improve general fitness, strength, flexibility, and walking ability. Both also partner with Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans to provide their benefit. Eligibility for both programs is generally the same.
SilverSneakers offers benefits at more than 17,000 locations nationwide and offers seven types of classes including classic, circuit, cardio fit, boom programs, splash, stability, and yoga.
The main difference between the two programs are locations, types of classes, and home fitness availability.
Before committing to one or the other, its probably best to see which one gives you access to more locations in your immediate area. If you dont have a gym or fitness center in your immediate area, or you cant go to a gym for any reason, Silver& Fit offers home fitness kits so you can exercise at home.
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When Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Or Medicare Supplement Plan
The Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15 December 7, which is the time of year many Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in new plans or make changes to existing ones.
Some members qualify for a Special Enrollment Period . Depending on your eligibility, you may have a lifelong SEP, which allows you to make one change per quarter for the first three quarters of the year instead of only during AEP. Some people may only be eligible for a temporary SEP due to a life change, like moving to a new service area.
If you have just become eligible for Medicare for the first time, you can enroll in Medicare Advantage during your Initial Enrollment Period .
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Why Take Advantage Of Silver Sneakers
The Silver Sneakers program has both physical and emotional effects. You can lower cholesterol, blood pressure, lessen the side effects of diabetes, and have more energy just by walking 30 minutes a day. Working out can improve mental health by lowering depression and loneliness while meeting new people.
According to Pychs Central, researchers at the University of Chicago have found: the impact of loneliness on premature death is nearly as strong as the impact of disadvantaged socioeconomic status, which they found increases the chances of dying early by 19%
Medicare Supplement Plans That Cover Silversneakers
Many Medicare supplement plans include some access to gym memberships. As far as silver sneakers go, few Medigap carriers offer SilverSneakers.
Most Medicare Supplement plans have some sort of added gym membership you can access. Many have an additional premium for these services.
For example, Cigna offers Silver and Fit in some areas. It is approximately $25 a month, and Mutual Of Omaha has its Mutually Well fitness program.
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How Do I Know If I’m Eligible
Eligibility is specific to your insurance plan. To verify that your individual coverage qualifies, please call the phone number on the back of your health insurance card to receive your Fitness ID or Confirmation Code for the program. Once the eligibility has been verified, obtain your Fitness ID or Confirmation Code as this will be required to enroll in membership.
Cant Get To The Gym No Problem
Silver Steps is a program for seniors and other members who live 15 miles or further from a gym. It is a personalized workout program that includes a kit with how-to DVDs, resistance belts, and an exercise video. So you wont be left out if you live in a rural area. Silver Sneakers also offers an online component to help with nutrition, streaming exercises, and a forum to talk to other members.
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How Much Does Medicare Plan G Cost
Medicare Plan G costs between $120 and $364 per month in 2022 for a 65-year-old. You’ll see a range of prices for Medicare supplement policies because each insurance company uses a different pricing method for plans. Furthermore, your exact price for Plan G will also be determined by your location, health, age and gender. For this reason, it is vital to compare rates among different Medicare providers so you can get your best Medicare rate possible.
Does Original Medicare Cover Silversneakers
Original Medicare does not provide the SilverSneakers program as a benefit.
However, if you are eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, you have the choice each year to forgo Original Medicare and choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer SilverSneakers at no extra cost to their members.
Some Medicare Supplement plans offer SilverSneakers as well. Although supplement plans generally do not offer additional benefits on top of what Medicare Part A and Part B cover, SilverSneakers is a benefit that some Medigap plans are able to add to your existing Medicare coverage.
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Is There A Silversneakers Near You
SilverSneakers gives individuals access to over 15,000 fitness locations nationwide, as well as live fitness classes designed for various levels and a library of online video workouts. To find a gym or class near you, you can use the online location tool or download the SilverSneakers GO app for iOS or Android.
Additionally, you can visit any SilverSneakers member location in the network.
Even if you arent a SilverSneakers member, classes are also available on its for everyone. You can do them live or watch them later at your convenience. Classes focus on things like core strength, cardio and endurance, and better balance.
Medicare Wellness And Silversneakers Programs
Home / FAQs / General Medicare / Medicare Wellness and SilverSneakers Programs
SilverSneakers is a program that helps keep seniors active and fit. You may have access to gym benefits now, and not know it.
The SilverSneakers program consists of gym memberships, group fitness classes, and access to well-trained instructors and reputable fitness centers. Many plans offer fitness benefits to their members.
Do you want access to a local gym or on-demand workouts? Are you Medicare-eligible? Below we will discuss the many possibilities, including cost, plans, and companies.
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What Other Benefits May Be Available From An Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan
A SilverSneakers membership is just one of the many benefits that may be available in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. Some of the additional perks may include:
- Concierge services to help you find local health-related resources
- A 24-hour nurse hotline
- Home delivery of prescription medications
- Dental, vision and hearing coverage
- Discounts on over-the-counter health products like vitamins or cold medicine
- Home-delivered meals following a hospital stay
All of Aetnas Medicare Advantage plans include all coverage found under Medicare Part A and Part B.
How We Reviewed Medicare Providers
Even Medicare health plans with a national presence can vary locally in their cost, quality, and customer satisfaction. To evaluate Medicare plans, we looked at health insurance industry ratings from the primary accrediting agency for health plans, the National Committee for Quality Assurance , and the Medicare Star Ratings from CMS, the regulatory agency that oversees Medicare. We included the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index, and AM Bests financial stability ratings. We also considered information from the companies on their programs and strategies.
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How To Enroll In The Silver& fit Program
Certain Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans include the Silver and Fit program as a benefit. Some people may also get access through a group retirement health plan.
Silver and Fit eligibility depends on two criteria:
- You must be 65 or older.
- You must be enrolled in Medicare.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you just need to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan that includes the Silver and Fit fitness benefit. To find out if youre eligible, you can check with Silver and Fit.
Youll need to accept the Terms and Conditions, then enter your first name, last name, and birth date. If youre eligible for the Silver and Fit program, follow the steps to enroll online.
Why Do Medicare Plans Offer A Silversneakers Benefit
Many insurance companies have started offering unique benefits and incentives to those who are working to improve their health through fitness and diet.
For example, the Attain by Aetna program is built around customizing your activity goals, such as how many steps you take or how many laps you swim. The weekly challenges are issued through the Apple Watch, and the points you earn by completing the challenges can be used to actually pay for said Apple Watch.
You also have life insurance companies like John Hancock, who have put together a âVitality Program,â which gives policyholders the chance to reduce premiums by up to 15% for living a healthy life. You can earn rewards like Amazon discounts, an Apple Watch, a Fitbit device, and even a Vitality Healthy Food benefit with up to $600 in annual savings on healthy food purchases.
Many insurance companies recognize the value of encouraging their policyholders to stay on top of their health. The SilverSneakers® program is just one more way for insurance companies to help their members stay healthy for longer.
Healthier members mean lower medical bills, which ultimately saves the insurance company money in the long run. Thatâs the idea, anyway.
Their program has also had a âsignificant impactâ on social isolation and loneliness.
Best of all, SilverSneakers® reports that group exercise class attendees have $2,144 lower average healthcare costs than matched non-enrollees after only a single year in the program .
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Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan G
Cigna Medicare Supplement G is one of 10 Medicare Supplement plans that help seniors control medical expenses such as emergency room visits, excess charges, or copayments. Medicare covers 80% of Medicares approved amount, but youre responsible for the remaining 20%. Thats where Cigna Medicare Supplement G comes in.
Silversneakers Eligibility And Coverage Areas
Any Medicare-eligible individual age 65 years or older is eligible for SilverSneakers. However, to actually get this coverage, you have to be officially enrolled in Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement plan that offers membership to the program.
It is important to note that some insurance carriers only offer SilverSneakers to customers in certain states and/or zip codes, so be sure and check your providers coverage area to find out whether or not youll get access to SilverSneakers.
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Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits Focus On Your Well
Most Medicare Advantage plans from Aetna offer a wide range of benefits in addition to SilverSneakers membership. These benefits are designed to help take care of your total health.
Many Aetna Medicare Advantage plans also include:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Non-emergency transportation coverage for things like doctors office visits or trips to the pharmacy
- Home meal delivery services after a hospital stay
- Over-the-counter benefit that allows you to get certain items like vitamins and cold medicine at no additional cost
- Prescription home delivery for plans that include prescription drug coverage
- 24/7 nurse hotline
- No-added-cost annual flu shots
Plan availability and features can vary by service area. Be sure to ask a licensed insurance agent or check your plans Evidence of Coverage to see what benefits are offered with your plan.
What Does Membership Include And Exclude
Membership offers classes designed for seniors, from chair-supported yoga to high-intensity interval workouts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests adults get 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activity.4 You can meet that with a few SilverSneakers classes.
You can work out at any SilverSneakers-affiliated facility in the U.S.
You can also access over 120 online guided workouts at SilverSneakers.com. These videos include:
- Fall prevention.
- SilverSneakers EnerChi.
You can install a mobile fitness app called SilverSneakers Go that lets you find locations, schedule activities, and track your progress. The app also offers access to a video library of guided workouts. For walking programs, you can give the app permission to track your route and save your activity to your activity log.
You get a basic membership at any participating location in the SilverSneakers network. But you are not limited to using one site. Facilities, amenities, and classes vary by location. In general, membership provides access to:
- Fewer hospital admissions.
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Cignas Family Of Companies
Other subsidiaries of Cigna are American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health & Life Insurance Company, Cigna National Life Insurance Company and Loyal American Life Insurance Company. Cigna offers a variety of insurance related products, including Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans.
Benefits For Cigna Medicare Supplement Members
Their Medicare Supplement members receive extra health and wellness benefits. These benefits include access to over 10,000 fitness facilities nationwide. They also have a Home Fitness program for those who dont want to go to the gym.
Additional discounts are offered through the Cigna Healthy Rewards program. This is a discount program to help you save on things such as weight loss and nutrition services, acupuncture and massage, vision and hearing discounts, and over the counter wellness items.
Cigna Medicare Supplement members also receive access to a 24 hour health information line where you can talk to a nurse 24 hours a day 7 days a week.Cigna provides all these benefits to help their members maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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How Much Does Silver Sneakers Cost
Silver Sneakers does not cost anything more than the premiums, if any, for your monthly plan. The insurance company pays the associated costs directly to Silver Sneakers.
Compare similar insurance policies, where the only difference is if Silver Sneakers is offered as a benefit or not, to make sure youre not overpaying for coverage only for Silver Sneakers.
Which Medicare Advantage Plans Have Silversneakers
While some companies are more notorious for offering fitness benefits, our agents can usually find solutions to any preference.
Many Advantage plans provide gym benefits to their members, although not every plan or service area offers this benefit.
Some of the major carriers that provide SilverSneakers are:
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Should Silver Sneakers Coverage Impact Your Medicare Coverage Choices
No. While Silver Sneakers is a great plan, you should not make health insurance choices based on the program itself. You should always choose your Medicare plan and evaluate your Medicare coverage options based on your medical and health needs. Making sure your doctor is in-network or that your prescriptions and pharmacy are in-network is always more important than selecting a plan for the non-Medicare related benefits. There are a few reasons why.
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Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Silversneakers
Medicare Supplement plans are designed to help pay out-of-pocket costs with Part A and Part B . If something isnt covered by Original Medicare, it usually isnt covered by a Medicare Supplement plan. Medicare rules prohibit Medigap plans from offering extra benefits, but gym memberships such as SilverSneakers are the rare exception to the rule.
In some states, the major Medicare Supplement insurers such as Humana, BlueCross Blue Shield, AARP include SilverSneakers membership with some Medigap plans. These instances are few and far between though, as most Medigap plans do not include SilverSneakers, especially those offered by smaller insurance companies.
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Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan Premiums
All Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan premiums vary in each state. They can also use different pricing methods in each state to determine your premium.
Other factors that impact your premium is your age, location, gender, habits like smoking, etc. Thats why no agent or broker can give you an accurate quote without some personal information.
For example, a male residing in California thats 72 years pays an average premium of $261 for Plan F and $203 for Plan G.
But, a female beneficiary thats 66 residing in Texas could pay an average premium of $131 for Plan F and $101 for Plan G.
As you can see, its important to have an agent by your side that can compare all the available plans and carriers.
How Does Medicare Plan G Work
Plan G is a supplemental Medigap health insurance plan that is available to individuals who are disabled or over the age of 65 and currently enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare. Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plans that are available to purchase.
Plan G is a supplemental policy, meaning it’s not your primary coverage but fills many of the gaps in a Medicare policy. Part A or Part B benefits pay for health services you may need.
Once Medicare pays its share, Plan G pays for most remaining costs.
Plan G also covers some of the expenses related to your Medicare policy. For example, Medicare Part A has a deductible of $1,556 in 2022. If you don’t have Plan G, you pay that deductible out of pocket. But with Plan G coverage, your health insurer pays the entire deductible.
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