Can I Join Silversneakers If My Medicare Plan Doesnt Cover It
No, this is a program that partners with Medicare plans only. SilverSneakers is funded through Medicare providers, and there is no membership fee you can pay in order to take part in the classes.
If you want to join a Medicare Advantage plan that covers SilverSneakers, you can switch from Original Medicare or your current Advantage plan during the Open Enrollment Period, which lasts from October 15 to December 7 every year. And if youre interested in getting physically active in your community but dont want to switch to a Medicare plan that covers SilverSneakers, contact a local gym or fitness center and inquire about the classes they offer for elderly people and their rates.
Silver Sneakers Program Requirements
SilverSneakers eligibility is based around the Medicare Advantage plan you are currently enrolled. Below are the Silver Sneaker eligibility requirements:
- Currently eligible for Medicare Parts A and B
- Policyholder of a Medicare Silver Sneakers partner Medicare Advantage insurance provider
You are eligible to switch your Medicare Advantage plan every year during the annual election period . At that time your Silver Sneakers membership will seamlessly transfer with any Medicare Silver Sneakers partner you enroll with for your health benefits.
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.
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How Do I Get A Silver Sneakers Card
As a Medicare Advantage plan member you will receive a membership card for your health benefits and a separate Silver Sneakers card.
**Tip If you lose your Silver Sneakers card, you can show your current Medicare Advantage card at the gym, so dont worry!
The system will recognize that you are a member with a participating Medicare Advantage plan and automatically issue you a 16-digit Silver Sneakers card number. Below is what the Silver Sneakers card form looks like.
Do you need to get a new Medicare Silver Sneakers card if you change your Medicare plan?
If you change your Medicare Advantage plan, your account will be transferred to the new health plan within Silver Sneakers. There is nothing you need to do other than keep exercising and enjoying your Silver Sneakers fitness benefits.
Here is an example Silver Sneakers card
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:
Our agents can help you to identify coverage and find affordable gym options.
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Will A Silver Sneakers Gym Membership Improve My Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Silver Sneakers program may reduce long-term health-care costs and inpatient admissions among seniors. In fact, the study showed people who attended a Silver Sneakers gym or fitness class at least twice a week spent $1,250 less on health care in their second year of the program than those attending just once a week.
If you have diabetes, you may also see a positive impact from a Silver Sneakers gym membership. Research published by the American Diabetes Association showed that diabetic seniors who participated in Silver Sneakers activities saved over $1,600 in medical expenses their first year and had fewer hospitalizations than those who didnt.
Finally, a research article in the professional journal Population Health Management showed the Silver Sneakers gym membership program boosted the overall physical and emotional health of participants. The research showed that higher participation in the program improved quality of life across several different measures. It also reduced some of the physical difficulties associated with aging.
Of course, not everyone will have the same response to a Silver Sneakers gym membership, but research shows that many do see positive health benefits. These studies didnt compare Silver Sneakers to other health club memberships.
You should always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program such as Silver Sneakers, however.
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!
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What Type Of Services Does Silver Sneakers Medicare Cover
Once youre a Silver Sneakers member you have access to all the benefits. That is the beauty of the program.
Below are some of the conditions / scenarios that Silver Sneakers uses exercise to help their members:
- Stroke Recovery
- Joint replacements
Its amazing how much exercise can help with any of the pre-existing conditions or scenarios listed above as well as many others. This is one of the key reasons why Silver Sneakers partnership with the Medicare Advantage community has been so successful. Without a wellness benefit, Medicare beneficiaries would be on their own to stay fit.
Sometimes it just takes getting out of the house to clear your mind. The team at each Silver Sneakers location is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and keep you on a realistic track to health and wellness.
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Find Out If Youre Eligible For Silversneakers
What are the SilverSneakers eligibility requirements?
In order to be eligible for the SilverSneakers Fitness program, you must be:
To be eligible for SilverSneakers, you must join a participating Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.
If you are already enrolled in one of those types of private insurance plans, you can visit SilverSneakers.com to see if your current plan offers the program.
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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.
Does Medicaid Cover Gym Membership
Medicaid coverage is different from state to state, so whether gym membership is provided will depend on where you live.
According to federal guidelines, a gym membership isnt a benefit that must be provided by Medicaid, and in most states, its not included. However, some states received federal grant money in the 2010s to test using incentives to improve health outcomes. In these states, Medicaid often used gym memberships as part of weight loss initiatives. Other states may partner with YMCA/YWCA or other community organizations to run health programs.
Your states Medicaid office will be able to tell you more.
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How Does Silver Sneakers Work
Silver Sneakers eligibility is based around if you are a member in one of their more than 60 participating Medicare Advantage plans across the United States. If you are a member in a participating Medicare Advantage plan you are eligible for a free Silver Sneakers gym membership. Its that easy.
How it works is simple, too.
Can anyone join SilverSneakers?
Silver Sneakers eligibility requirements are solely based around those who enroll in Silver Sneaker partnered Medicare plans. This is one of the benefits of using a Medicare Advantage plan over a Medicare Supplement as most Medicare Supplements do not include Silver Sneakers.
Benefits Of A Medicare Gym Membership
A Medicare gym membership offers many benefits. One study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found regular exercise at a fitness club reduced health care costs after two years. The American Heart Association lists numerous benefits of regular physical activity, including better health, improved sleep and enhanced cognitive function.
Going to fitness classes regularly can also provide social benefits. The MIT Age Lab found participation in fitness programs can reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness. The Silver Sneakers program gives men and women the chance to come together with others that are close in age for socializing and exercising.
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How Does One Get A Silver Sneakers Certification
To become a SilverSneakers certified instructor, one must meet prerequisite requirements and successfully complete a SilverSneakers instructor training workshop. Workshops are available through Healthways Instructor Resource Center and are specific to the types of classes individual instructors are interested in teaching.
SilverSneakers instructors teach a variety of group exercise classes designed to encourage fitness in older adults. All candidates for SilverSneakers certification must be 18 or older. Additional prerequisites include holding a two- or four-year college degree in health, recreation, physical education, exercise science or a related area, or holding a national certification from a recognized fitness agency, such as the American Council on Exercise, as well as maintaining current CPR certification.
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What Insurance Plans Cover Silversneakers
There are over 60 Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans that offer a SilverSneakers membership at no additional cost to you. These insurance providers differ from state to state however, a few include:
- SCAN Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente
To learn which insurance plans cover SilverSneakers membership in your state, visit the Participating Health Plans page on the SilverSneakers website.
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Question #: Whats The Silversneakers Community Like
Friendly. Supportive. Motivating. Fun. Like family. Thats how members often describe the SilverSneakers community.
What they all know: SilverSneakers is more than a fitness program, and often its the friendships that people make that keep them coming back.
Many SilverSneakers groups even plan social events outside of classes, like potlucks or outings around town. Or if theyre taking a SilverSneakers LIVE class, theyll chat online before or after the workout.
This social support has real health benefits. SilverSneakers members who participate in group exercise are more active, feel healthier, and are less likely to experience social isolation than non-members, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab study.
Plus, you can stay connected with the SilverSneakers community on and .
Does Medicaid Cover Silversneakers
No, Medicaid does not currently support or pay for SilverSneakers membership. This may come as a surprise to some Medicaid recipients, given that gym membership may be extremely useful for illness prevention and maintaining a healthier physique.
Gym memberships are one of the optional perks that each state has the authority to regulate as it sees right. SilverSneakers is not now on the list of authorized Medicaid programs, although this may change in the future.
Medicaid financial assistance is always evolving and altering to better meet the requirements of those who use it. As a result, SilverSneakers may be covered soon.
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The Silver Sneakers Medicare Program // What It Is & How It Works
As you get older it is very important to stay active and keep the blood flowing.
Studies even show that if you start working out at the age of 65 you will have an additional 12 years of a disability free lifestyle.
Thats what we are here to talk about today, a program that allows you to focus on staying healthy without the high costs of a traditional gym.
Today I will go over the Silver Sneakers program and exactly how it works and how you can become eligible for it.
Mutual Of Omaha Senior Fitness Benefits
Recently, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Advantage plans began a wellness initiative with the Tivity Healths Prime Fitness network of over 10,000 workout locations. With the help of a mobile app, customers have access to many resources.
Further, the wellness program includes complementary and alternative medicine services like chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and more. The program has a discount network with over 20,000 doctors.
If youre already a SilverSneakers member, you can get your digital membership card instantly here.
To make things even easier, download the SilverSneakers GO app . Youll be able to:
- Access your digital membership card anytime.
- Find SilverSneakers locations and classes near you.
- Discover, schedule, and track your workouts.
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Millersburg Oh Aetnakinetics Fitness For Life
Patricia Pat Young always has a smile and a kind and encouraging word, and always welcomes new people to class. When Pat first started SilverSneakers, she had balance problems, wasnt as active as she used to be, and took longer to do things. After a few months, she felt better. Then COVID hit and the gym closed. Pat tried to continue her class workouts at home so I wouldnt lose what Id started to fix. Now that the gym is open again, Pat attends class Monday, Wednesday and Friday and says, I can help with more of the outdoor work, I have better balance, and I feel like a new person! Her instructor is grateful for participants like Pat who go above and beyond to encourage others and keep positively aging.
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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Can I Enroll In Silver Sneakers If I Have Original Medicare
Silver Sneakers is a benefit available only to seniors enrolled in participating Medicare Advantage plans.
If you are currently enrolled in Original Medicare and want a Silver Sneakers membership, you may want to wait for the Medicare Annual Election Period and see what Medicare Advantage plans are available in your area. Read more about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. Remember, you must continue to pay your regular Part B premium every month, even if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits such as Silver Sneakers. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D coverage for prescription drugs.
Want to know which Medicare Advantage plans in your area offer Silver Sneakers memberships? You can find out right now. Just enter your zip code in the box on this page to display a list of local plans, and look at the benefits each of them offers.
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