Does Medicare Part B Pay For Silver Sneakers

Does Medicare Cover Gym Memberships

Is Silver Sneakers Part of Medicare?

Medicare doesnt cover the costs of fitness programs and gym memberships, although some Advantage plans include a gym membership.

Advantage plans can offer extra benefits that arent available through Medicare. People that sign up for an Advantage plan must pay the Part B premium and any plan costs.

Supplement plans are Medigap policies, and they dont include coverage for gym memberships.

Private companies offer different plan options. Beneficiaries should compare plan rates in their area.

Medicare Supplements With Silver Sneakers Membership

As a rule of thumb, more Medicare Advantage plans offer Silver Sneakers than doMedicare supplement policies. Membership availability will depend on the State where you live. Its more common to see larger insurance Medicare supplement providers offering this benefit. Many smaller companies will not.

Popular insurance companies like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare , and Medical Mutual of Ohio offer this program in many states. This benefit does not cost extra. It is included as part of your overall monthly premiums.

Taking it a step further, Silver Sneakers is one of the very few benefits that Medicare supplement insurance companies are allowed to include at no additional cost. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, supplemental policies cannot include many ancillary benefits. Gym memberships are one of the few free service available.

Medicare And Gyms: Silver Sneakers And Alternative Gym Programs

Every Senior knows that exercising is one of the healthiest activities to take on once becoming Medicare eligible. Joining a gym is a great way to work out but who will pay for it? With Silver Sneakers or a similar gym benefit, you may find that your Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan will.

We will go over how Silver Sneakers allows anyone with a participating Medigap or Medicare Advantage can access to gyms with little or no additional fees. We will show you how to enroll and review some lessor known free gym alternatives for those who are Medicare eligible.

What Fitness Plans Do Silversneakers Programs Offer

The SilverSneakers program has agreements with thousands of gyms and trained fitness and exercise instructors at more than 17,000 locations. The trained instructors provide fitness programs designed specifically for seniors.

The program also has an on-demand video library for people who prefer exercising at home and a program that holds fitness classes outside of gyms in parks, community centers and churches.

SilverSneakers Fitness Classes

How Do You Get A Membership

SilverSneakers list of participating health plans changes over time. For example, the parent company, Tivity Health, Inc., dropped some plans around 2016 while it redefined its mission and restructured. In 2020, eight new health plans will offer SilverSneakers.

If you have a preferred gym or fitness studio, ask if they partner with SilverSneakers. You can also check with your plan provider or the SilverSneakers website.

Look for access within your Medicare Advantage plan. The best time to do so is when you enroll in a new plan or review an existing one during the annual open enrollment period between October 15 and December 7. You can also make SilverSneakers one of the criteria for selecting your Medicare Supplement plan.

Check here for Medicare plans in your state that include SilverSneakers.

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Can You Get Silver Sneakers Without Medicare

The only way you can receive a Silver Sneakers membership is if you apply and enroll in either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan that offers a Silver Sneakers membership along with the plan. Medicare Advantage plans are private Medicare plans that pay instead of your Original Medicare.

Where You Can Find A Silversneakers Program

The SilverSneakers website suggests there are programs near most Americans. You can check at the SilverSneakers website or on the programs app for locations near you. And youll be able to find programs nearby when you travel.

The SilverSneakers smartphone app allows you to access fitness programs, track and schedule workouts and find participating SilverSneaker locations near you or where you plan to travel.

If your plan covers SilverSneakers, you can download a digital membership card on the app. It works on both iOS and Android phones and tablets and gives you access to your membership card at any time.

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What If My Plan Doesnt Include Silversneakers

Its in everyones best interests for insurance plans to offer fitness benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, exercise protects against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can even help prevent some forms of cancer. It also improves mental health and contributes to a better quality of life. For these reasons, its not surprising that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study showed almost one-half of all U.S. workplaces include fitness benefits in their health plans.

SilverSneakers is a subsidiary of Tivity Health, the company behind Nutrisystem, Prime Fitness, and Wisely Well brands. Although its the largest company offering Medicare fitness programs, it competes against programs such as Active & Fit Direct and Silver & Fit.

Insurers that want to offer fitness benefits choose the program that makes the most sense for their members. Some insurance companies develop their own fitness networks. For instance, UnitedHealthcare recently scaled back its participation in SilverSneakers in favor of Renew Active, a new fitness program created exclusively for UHC Medicare Advantage members.

If your Medicare plan doesnt offer SilverSneakers, it may offer one of the other fitness programs. You may even get fitness benefits with your life insurance policy: For example, John Hancocks Vitality Program rewards policyholders who participate in an active lifestyle.

Cost Of Silver Sneakers

Does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover Silver Sneakers – Medicare Supplement Plan G – Silver Sneakers

Select participating Medicare Advantage plans cover the cost of a Silver Sneakers membership. If an enrollee is eligible for a Silver Sneakers membership and the membership is included as a benefit in their supplemental Medicare plan, they pay no extra cost. The only costs included are the standard monthly Part B premium and MA plan premium because the Silver Sneakers benefit is linked to participating MA plans free-of-charge.

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What Medicare Supplement Companies Offer The Active And Fit Direct Program

The American Specialty Health Incorporateds new fitness program has millions of members. The Active and Fit Direct Program has been the market a couple of years, and its become the countrys most notable commercial fitness program.

Further, many companies offer programs like Active & Fit. Aetna members may have access to these programs, although supplement insurance may vary.

Learn if your Supplement company offers the Active & Fit Direct Program by contacting your agent.

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.

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Some Medigap And Medicare Advantage Offer Silver Sneakers

As you may know, Medigap and Medicare Advantage are two very different ways to help address costs not covered by Medicare. Some of these Medicare insurance plans will bundle a Silver Sneakers membership with its plans. Check out which Medigap insurance providers and plans cover Silver Sneakers. When it comes to Medicare Advantage, coverage varies by plan, so give us a call to confirm.

Where Is Silversneakers Offered

There are thousands of SilverSneakers locations all over the U.S. You can use the SilverSneakers participating locations search tool to find a fitness center or gym near you that accepts SilverSneakers.

Some SilverSneakers programs are offered indoors at gyms and fitness centers. Other SilverSneakers programs include FLEX activities that are held outdoors at parks and recreation centers.

And if there arent SilverSneakers location near you, you can participate in free workouts at home. SilverSneakers offers a library of on-demand workout videos that can be accessed from a computer, tablet or smartphone. SilverSneakers will even send you your choice of four workout kits: general fitness, strength, walking or yoga.

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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:

Aetna

Our agents can help you to identify coverage and find affordable gym options.

Which Plans Offer Silver Sneakers

Remember most plans do not offer Silver Sneakers. Check out our Silver Sneakers Search tool to see if there are any in your area. You can see which Medigap plans participate in Silver Sneakers and can get quotes and apply directly.

New to Medicare: Everything you need to know. Medicare is the United States federal health insurance program for Americans 65 and older, as well as people with certain disabilities or End Stage Renal Disease .
Medigap Plans with Extra Benefits: Ultimate Guide In the past few years, several insurance companies launched Medigap plans with additional or “extra” benefits. These plans not only offered the traditional core benefits required by Medigap plans, but also added ancillary coverage not included with Medigap such as vision, dental, and hearing benefits. The trend of offering extra
Can’t afford Medigap Plan F? Consider Plan G Medigap Plan F was once the most popular, most comprehensive plan available. This has recently changed as Medigap Plan G is now a better deal in almost every market.

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What Is Silver Sneakers

Silver Sneakers is a private health and fitness membership program designed for seniors. Its available at no cost to those enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage plan. There are over 16,000 participating Silver Sneaker gym facilities and 70 different types of health and fitness classes available nationwide.

If you join the Silver Sneakers program through a Medicare Advantage plan, you get a no-cost basic gym membership at any participating fitness center across the country. You can also take Silver Sneakers classes, which may include everything from cardio to tai chi to yoga, at no cost. The Silver Sneakers Flex classes are a new type of community-based exercise class that take place both inside the gym and outdoors at places like public parks and walking paths.

How Much Does The Silversneakers Program Cost

Silver Sneakers and Medicare – Is it covered by your Medicare Plan?

For over two decades weve been on a mission: to make fitness more fun and accessible to boomers and beyond. Weve built a massive network of gyms that offer SilverSneakers membership at no cost to you. Weve designed fitness classes set to your favorite tunes and led by enthusiastic instructors.

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How Does Silver Sneakers Gym Membership Work

Youll get a basic membership at any gym and participating location in the SilverSneakers network. Facilities, amenities, and classes vary by location, but if available, that generally means you can use: Cardio equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals. Strength equipment, such as weights and strength machines.

Who Pays For The Silver Sneakers Program

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How Can I Enroll In Or Switch To Silver Sneakers

You are able to add a Medicare advantage or supplemental insurance plan with Silver Sneakers benefits to your insurance, when you first become eligible, and enroll in original Medicare, typically when you turn 65 . You will have an initial enrollment period for Medicare that lasts from 6 months prior to 6 months past your 65th birthday. If you miss this time period, you may be able to join a supplemental policy at a later time, but you wont have a guaranteed right to be accepted anymore. If you plan on adding a Medicare advantage plan at a later time, you may do so each year in fall during the Open Enrollment period, which is each year in fall. If you missed the open enrollment, you have to wait, and enroll between October 15 and December 7 or switch to a Medicare advantage plan with SilverSneakers benefits. However, if a 5 Star Rated Medicare advantage plan with SilverSneakers is available to you, you may join that plan at any time during the year. Check with Medicare.gov for available 5 Star Rated Medicare advantage plans in your area.

We hope that you will find your SilverSneakers plan and can join a fun fitness class! A regular workout will not only help you improve your agility and flexibility, by improving your fitness and overall health you may even be able to reduce the amount of drugs you are required to take and cut down your prescription drug expenses!

Whats Included In An Aetna Silversneakers Membership

Each location offering a SilverSneakers class may have different amenities or program activities, but some of the things you may expect to find include:

Classes that focus on senior health and flexibility like yoga or tai chi

Group exercises
Sports leagues exclusively for senior adults
Health and nutrition education

Social activities and events
Access to things like weights and cardio equipment, hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools, basketball and racquetball courts and other available amenities

Some Aetna SilverSneakers memberships also include access to the FLEX program, which is a network of more unique fitness classes like line dancing, Latin-style dancing, walking groups and more.

An Aetna SilverSneakers membership will also grant you access to the SilverSneakers app so you can find participating locations and FLEX classes, track your progress, watch informational and instructional videos and more.

An Aetna SilverSneakers membership may even include a college discount program. Earn points for exercising and turn those points into college tuition money for a grandchild or other family member.

What Do I Do If My Plan Drops Silversneakers

There seems to have been a recent trend of companies dropping coverage for SilverSneakers. Recently, several YMCAs across the country have discontinued their partnership with SilverSneakers, no longer allowing people with a SilverSneakers membership into the popular recreation center. Just last fall, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee dropped its contract with SilverSneakers entirely according to a story from the Nashville Post.

Luckily, Medicare beneficiaries aren’t necessarily out of luck. If your plan drops SilverSneakers, your plan may replace it with a similar program such as Silver& Fitwhich was the case for BCBS of Tennessee. Or, if you want only SilverSneakers, you may be able to switch to a plan that offers it. If you need help, consider speaking to a licensed agent.

When Can I Enroll In Silversneakers Through A Humana Medicare Plan

You may have up to three opportunities to enroll in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan that offers SilverSneakers.

Your first opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan is typically during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period , which begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday and lasts for another three months after that, for a total of seven months.
You may also be able to enroll in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another during the fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period , which lasts from October 15 to December 7 each year.
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also have the opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if you lose your current coverage through no fault of your own, move to a new area or experience any other life events that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period .

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Silver Sneakers Vs Active And Fit Direct Program

When it comes to fitness programs, beneficiaries have plenty of options. SilverSneakers and Active & Fit Direct are both fitness programs that accommodate seniors.

The SilverSneakers program allows beneficiaries to have free access to gyms nationwide.

Members may have access to full use of gym equipment and benefits, including weights, cardio machines, saunas, pools, and hot tubs.

SilverSneakers offers fitness classes such as yoga, cardio-fit, circuit training, and water aerobics.

The Active and Fit program allows members to choose from over 9,000 facilities across the nation.

The program offers an online directory map and locator for fitness facilities. Also, you can switch fitness centers to make sure you find the right fit.

The Active& Fit Direct Program also offers online wellness tracking, which comes from a variety of wearable fitness devices. However, the program is only for individual or employer group members.

Active& Fit Direct continues to expand its growing network to meet the clients needs. This year there was an addition over 1200 facilities, including large chains, independent and local gyms.

Members can search the online directory for some of the nations finest fitness centers in their area.

Cant Get To The Gym No Problem

AARP Drops Silver Sneakers Gym Program – Georgia Medicare

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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