Does Medicare Plan F Include Silver Sneakers

Silversneakers How Does It Work

SilverSneakers is a program encouraging older adults to participate in physical activities that will help them to maintain greater control of their health. SilverSneakers sponsors activities and social events designed to keep those 65 and older healthy while encouraging social interaction. As well as keeping you physically healthy, SilverSneakers can contribute to your overall well-being by connecting you to others in fitness classes and helping you stay social. According to SilverSneakers.com, 88 percent of SilverSneakers members say that SilverSneakers has improved the quality of their life.

SilverSneakers is available around the country, and membership provides access to any participating gym locationincluding all amenities included with basic level access. Each SilverSneakers location is outfitted with an advisor who will introduce you to the program and help get you started. SilverSneakers also includes an invitation to sponsored health education seminars and other fitness-related events.

What Is The Silversneakers Program

SilverSneakers is a program that promotes exercise and fitness routines for older adults. The program promotes physical health by offering free or discounted memberships to public and private gyms across the country. If youre not a fan of the gym or live far from a fitness facility, SilverSneakers offers at-home classes and equipment to make exercise accessible to all.

Which Clubs Offer Silversneakers

In my area LA Fitness has entered the health club arena which is a huge bonus as LA Fitness has many locations throughout the area. This makes the journey to fitness so much easier to find a close health club with easy parking.

Two other large chains which can offer SilverSneakers is Planet Fitness and Powerhouse Gym. Again this can depend upon the facility, in my area the Planet Fitness does not offer SilverSneakers, but Powerhouse does. The YMCAs also participate which is always a great avenue for a comprehensive workout and/or exercise program.

I was impressed with the selection of health clubs available in my area including: Physical Therapy locations, Family YMCAs, LA Fitness, municipal fitness facilities and Anytime Fitness. Visit the Healthways website to check if your health plan includes Silver Sneakers.

You May Like: Best Sneakers After Bunion Surgery

Which Insurance Plans Cover Silversneakers

Below you will find some of the many insurance companies that offer SilverSneakers as a covered benefit.

These private insurance companies offer either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan that includes SilverSneakers. Keep in mind insurance plans vary based on where you live, and not every company will offer plans that include SilverSneakers. Each plan varies, so check to see if the plan you choose to enroll in offers the benefit.

To find out which plans available in your state include SilverSneakers, you can ask your insurance representative or visit the SilverSneakers website. You may also call SilverSneakers directly at 866-584-7389 or email at .

How Does It Work

All you need to get started is your SilverSneakers member ID number.

Find your closest SilverSneakers location and take your ID number to the front desk. Then start working out! You can use any participating SilverSneakers location nationwide, so when you travel you can still get your workouts in.

This benefit does not include personal training sessions.

Recommended Reading: Most Popular High Top Sneakers

Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover Silversneakers

SilverSneakers is the registered name for a health and fitness program developed for people 65 years and older. It has been suggested that there are more participating fitness locations available in the United States than Starbucks locations. With over 16,000 locations, SilverSneakers gives members access to outdoor classes, gym equipment, fitness centers, online resources, as well as a catalog of on-demand workout and instructional videos.

Medicare Supplement Plan N The Original Medicare program, which encompasses Parts A and B, leaves some gaps in coverage that Medicare recipients commonly try to fill through Medicare Supplement plans, otherwise known as Medigap policies. These plans, offered by private insurance carriers, must abide by federal and state regulations designed to protect the insured. Supplement benefits are standardized, offering identical basic benefits. Some insurance companies may offer more but cannot offer less.

Every state that offers Part N is required to include the following coverage:

• Part A coinsurance plus in-patient hospital care for up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are used.
• Part B coinsurance or copayment.
• First three pints of blood.
• Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment.
• Coinsurance for a skilled nursing facility.
• Part A deductible.
• Foreign travel emergency up to 80%.

Related articles:

The Cost Of Silver Sneakers

How much will you pay for this service? In every case, Silver Sneakers is free to you. Its not something that you are charged for, which could explain why it isnt offered everywhere. It is essentially something that the insurance company pays for on its own and does not get reimbursed for, so it makes sense that they would only offer it in places where there would be a high demand for such a program or where facilities that offer it would be widely available.

If you can find Silver Sneakers available in your area through some of the Supplement plans offered by providers operating near you, then you should take advantage of it. It is something that can improve your lifestyle and help you to live longer and healthier. Its a very beneficial program, and it is unfortunate that it is not available to more seniors, but those who have access to it should definitely use it.

You may even want to make Silver Sneakers a deciding factor as to whether you choose one insurance provider or another. Thats how much value this program offers you as a senior. This is really one of the very few free services that Medicare Supplements can offer seniors, so its one you should be thankful to enjoy.

Don’t Miss: Vince Blair Slip On Sneakers Black

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:

• Cardio.
• 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.

Why Take Advantage Of The Program

SilverSneakers is designed to help older adults stay physically fit and socially active. Membership provides access to more than 16,000 participating locations nationwide, including gyms, wellness centers and YMCAs.

You can visit the SilverSneakers official website to find a participating location near you.

SilverSneakers locations offer fitness classes targeted towards aging adults, including:

• Yoga
• Senior sports teams or recreational leagues
• Outdoor exercise activities
• And more

In addition, the Silver Steps program provides seniors who live in more rural areas access to personalized workout programs they can do from home and an online component to help keep members connected and motivated to stay healthy.

Don’t Miss: Boys Sneakers Size 13.5

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.

Which Parts Of Medicare Cover Silversneakers

Original Medicare does not cover gym memberships or fitness programs. Since SilverSneakers falls under this category, original Medicare doesnt cover it.

However, gym memberships and fitness programs, including SilverSneakers, are often covered as an additional benefit in Medicare Part C plans.

Private insurance companies approved by Medicare offer these plans.

Part C plans include the benefits covered by Parts A and B. They also typically have additional benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.

Some Medigap policies will also cover gym memberships and fitness programs. Like Part C plans, private insurance companies offer Medigap plans. Medigap plans help to cover costs that original Medicare doesnt.

SilverSneakers members have access to the included benefits free of charge. Youll have to pay for anything that isnt covered in the SilverSneakers program.

If youre unsure about whats included at a specific gym, be sure to ask.

Additionally, its important to note that the specific amenities and classes available to you can vary by gym. You may have to search for a participating gym that meets your specific fitness needs.

SilverSneakers is a fitness program specifically geared toward older adults. It includes:

• access to gym facilities

Also Check: Who Can Get Silver Sneakers

Medicare Plan N Vs Plan G

When compared to Medicare supplement Plan N, Plan G provides more comprehensive coverage. Both policies will not cover the Part B deductible however, Plan N will not pay for expenses related to the Medicare Part B excess charges. Excess charges can occur when there is a difference between what is billed to Medicare for your treatment and what is actually paid by Medicare. This difference would be paid for you out of pocket if you had Plan N, for example.

However, since Plan N has less coverage, the monthly premium for the policy will be less than Plan G. For 2020, Plan N will cost between $149 and $289 per month.

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

Silver Sneakers Medicare Program

The Silver Sneakers Medicare fitness program is a very attractive benefit to many beneficiaries. Its also attractive to many insurance companies that supplement Medicare.

These insurance companies offering Medicare supplement and Advantage plans also know that fitness, wellness and prevention go along way toward reducing claims costs. Thats why some Medicare plans these days have partnerships with fitness programs like Silver Sneakers.

Also Check: What Type Of Sneakers Should I Buy

Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover Gym Memberships

Staying in shape is important at any age, but its especially important when you start to age. One easy way to accomplish this is to go to the gym. But this can get expensive, especially if you dont use it a lot. Does Original Medicare or Medigap coverage include gym memberships? Well reveal the answer below.

Does Original Medicare Cover Gym Memberships?

Unfortunately, gym memberships are not on the list of covered expenses under Original Medicare. It wont cover fitness program fees or gym memberships. This means you pay 100% of the costs associated with it if you plan to get a gym or fitness program membership. However, you may be able to get help with some of the costs if you have a specific Medicare Supplement policy.

How Medicare May Cover Gym Memberships

Plan G may cover certain gym memberships, but Plan G plans have been scaling back on covering gym memberships due to lack of use.

However, people who have enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can have access to gym membership coverage under a specific program. To date, United Healthcare, Humana, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Gateway, Coventry, and WellCare all participate in a senior-specific gym membership program called Silver Sneakers in most states. United Healthcare is scaling back their coverage in certain states due to non-use, but its still available in some places.

The SilverSneakers Program

Related articles:

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.

You May Like: Is Silver Sneakers Through Medicare

Where Can You Find Insurance Programs That Include Silversneakers

Programs offered under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans typically include the SilverSneakers Program. These plans have a wide range of benefits available at different price points. To search for a Medicare Advantage or Supplement Plan that offers this benefit, the SilverSneakers program developed a search tool with all the insurance programs that offer their service. The search tool can be found on the SilverSneakers website.

Staying In Shape And Feeling Good Is Important At Any Age

Do you want to:

• help improve your blood pressure and bone health?
• better manage conditions such as diabetes or arthritis?
• take advantage of exercise and activity options at the gym, in classes and through videos at home?
• meet other active folks and make new friends?

Don’t Miss: Vans Washed Canvas Authentic Sneakers

Medicare Plan G Coverage

Medicare Plan G will not cover your original Medicare Part B deductible, which costs $198 in 2020. You would pay for medical servicessuch as outpatient care, preventive care and ambulance servicesout of pocket until you have reached the deductible amount. Then Medicare would cover your health care costs.

How Much Does It Cost

The SilverSneakers program is a free extra benefit for many Medicare Advantage plans and some Medicare Supplement plans . These plans all have different prices, but fitness benefits will never be offered for a fee. The price of these plans can vary a lot depending on your location and other factors, so it is useful to compare them locally.

You can think of the cost of SilverSneakers and similar plans in two specific ways, aside from the price of the plans. First, Silver Sneakers can save you money on the services you use: gym memberships, classes, and so on. Also, SilverSneakers and other programs can help to reduce future medical expenses by improving your health and fitness levels. This can result in lower healthcare costs.

You May Like: Do Alexander Mcqueen Sneakers Run Small

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.

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.

Recommended Reading: Gucci Ace Sneakers Mens Sale

Does Medicare Cover The Silversneakers Program

Medicare Part A and Part B do not include the SilverSneakers program. However, a majority of Medicare Advantage plans include this program, but its important to check with your specific plan and benefits. In addition to Medicare Advantage, over 60 health plans across the country include a SilverSneakers program, so it is probable that your plan will have access to it as well.

Contact Us For Quotes Coverage & Enrollment

Hyers and Associates is an independent insurance agency specializing in Supplements, Advantage plans and Part D coverage. We help our clients compare and contrast all of their options. Well tell you which plans offer Silver Sneakers and discuss whether or not this value-added benefit puts one plan on top of another. Contact us today!

You May Like: Does Florida Blue Cover Silver Sneakers