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Which Medigap Plans Offer Silver Sneakers

Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans: Whats Included In A Silversneakers Membership

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

Members may be able to use any of more than 16,000 participating SilverSneakers facilities across the U.S., according to the SilverSneakers website. Depending on whatâs available at the gym you visit, you can swim, lift weights, take a group exercise class, or rock the treadmill. Any amenities available to regular gym members is typically available for SilverSneakers members, too, â so you can soak in the whirlpool or ease your tired muscles in the sauna, if your gym has them. Of course, if you want extras such as a post-workout massage, youâll generally have to pay separately.

Not every Medicare Advantage plan â whether through Aetna, or a different private Medicare-approved insurance company â offers SilverSneakers.

Medicare Providers That Cover Silversneakers

Several large health insurance companies provide SilverSneakers membership at no cost to enrollees. This makes sense, as insurance providers have a financial interest in the long-term health of their customers and exercising has proven to have tremendous benefits. For this reason as well, many companies even incentivize this behavior by offering free perks to members, like gym membership or fitness classes.

Many private insurers include SilverSneakers in their Medicare Advantage plans. Some Medicare Supplement plans may cover it as well. However, this availability varies depending on the state you live in and the plan you subscribe to.

Coverage isnt offered in all 50 states. You can check your states availability on the SilverSneakers website.

For your reference, below is a rundown of the SilverSneakers offerings at four of the top Medicare carriers:

PROVIDER
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans Coverage may not be available for all plans or in all states.

You might notice that one major provider isnt included on this list: UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare recently began rolling back its SilverSneakers coverage, replacing it with its own fitness program called Renew Active. Renew Active is available to most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage customers, but SilverSneakers is still included on plans that havent yet added Renew Active.

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.

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Medicare Advantage Plans Including Silver Sneakers

There are many, manyMedicare Advantage plans affiliated with Silver Sneakers. Your options will depend on where you purchase your insurance. If you would like to see which insurance companies in your state include this plan, view theparticipating health plans here.

Its not uncommon to see both large and small insurance companies include this popular benefit. Large carriers like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Coventry, Gateway, Humana, United Healthcare and WellCare participate in most states.

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Where Is Silversneakers Offered

What Medicare Ploicies Offer Silver Sneakers

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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The Silver& Fit Home Fitness Program

If you cant travel to a fitness center or if you prefer to work out in the privacy of your own home, you may be able to request a Silver& Fit Home Fitness Kit.

Members who receive can select two of the 17 home fitness program options each benefit year. Each includes an instructional booklet and a DVD or CD.

You get your first kit about 10 days after you enroll, and the second kit about 90 days after the first kit is shipped.

Home Fitness Kit choices include:

How Can I Get Silver Sneakers If I Have Original Medicare

Learn what the Silver Sneakers program is and how it works with Medicare.

Mental and physical well-being is an important part of overall health at any age. Silver Sneakers is a well-known program that is catered to seniors. Medicare recipients can save on health care costs by taking advantage of wellness opportunities with Silver Sneakers.

Find out what Silver Sneakers offers, how to get access to it, and how you should make choices on your Medicare options in regard to Silver Sneakers.

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What Does It Include

You get access to over 15,000 gyms across the nation. Not only can you get into the gym, you are able to take classes that promote a healthy lifestyle. Also, many gyms offer programs and social opportunities for their members. As a note that you dont have to got a gym to take the classes. Many community centers and other places are available to you. And there are additional programs that allow you to save toward a family members college scholarship!

Do All Medicare Plans Offer Silver Sneakers

Is Silver Sneakers Part of Medicare?

You cannot add a Silver Sneakers benefit to your Medicare Advantage coverage a plan either comes with Silver Sneakers or it does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans provide reimbursement for gym memberships or fitness programs other than the Silver Sneakers program. Original Medicare never includes a Silver Sneakers membership.

While gym access or exercise classes are a nice benefit to have, they shouldnt be the only thing you consider when choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage or when choosing a specific Advantage plan. We wrote more here about choosing the right Medicare coverage.

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Does Medicare Advantage Pay For Silversneakers

Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers or other fitness programs with no added cost. Half of the major insurers have SilverSneakers or a similar benefit, including AARP, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana and Kaiser Permanente.

All the plans we reviewed cover free memberships in participating gyms across the U.S. and access to other wellness and mental fitness support services. Renew Active and Silver& Fit also provide home fitness kits for those who qualify.

Company
Silver& Fit

All policies listed include free fitness benefits. Some insurers also have plans that charge for fitness coverage.

Regular exercise is good for overall health, and a SilverSneakers membership can help you achieve fitness goals. But when shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan, we don’t recommend using SilverSneakers or a similar benefit as a major deciding factor. You’ll want to make sure the plan is affordable, accepts your preferred doctors and covers prescriptions you take. If your ideal policy doesn’t cover fitness, you can save in other ways like joining a gym with a senior discount.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Medicare Insurance

Too often Medicare insurance policies are purchased and stashed away. Whether you purchase a Supplement or Advantage plan, its important to know about extra benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to offer ancillary benefits like dental, vision and hearing. Conversely, Supplements, by rule, cannot usually offer as many added benefits.

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Does Aetna Medicare Cover Silversneakers Ehealth

Most of Humanas Medicare plans include the SilverSneakers fitness program at no extra cost. Stay in shape with indoor and outdoor workout options.

May 17, 2021 SilverSneakers® is a fitness and wellness program for seniors available at no additional Coverage options · Why Blue Shield for Medicare?

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Does Original Medicare Cover Silversneakers

What Medicare Insurance Covers Silver Sneakers

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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Does Medigap Pay For Gym Membership

Gym Membership & Fitness Program. All non-covered services are 100% of your own. Gym memberships or fitness plans are often part of a Medicare plan.

Which Medicare Plans Cover SilverSneakers? Most Medicare Advantage Plans include a SilverSneakers membership. First, you must be signed up for Original Medicare. Then you can select a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes SilverSneakers. How Much Does SilverSneakers Cost? There is no cost to you if you have SilverSneakers included in your Medicare Advantage plan.

Which Medigap Plans Have Silver Sneakers

Written by Brian Gruss

Silver Sneakers is a brand name for a wellness program that usually includes a gym membership with classes that are specifically designed for seniors. Needless to say, I am a big proponent of Silver Sneakers.

That being said, most Medigap plans do not offer access to Silver Sneakers. Typically a wellness program will be offered through a Medicare Advantage plan. Even at that Medicare Advantage plans have opted to create there own wellness programs to save the money of offering the branded Silver Sneakers program.

There are a few Medigap plans that offer Silver Sneakers or an in house wellness program. One thing to note though is there is an inherent cost to offering such wellness programs. This cost well be passed along the in the rates. A person looking for a Medigap plan that offers Silver Sneakers should look at the cost difference of that plan versus a plan that does not offer the program and paying for the gym membership themselves.

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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

How To Confirm A Health Plan Offers A Silversneakers Benefit

ð´ AARP Dropping Silver Sneakers and ALTERNATIVES!

Because Medicare Advantage plans vary, those who want a SilverSneakers membership should confirm directly with the insurance company that the benefit is included before enrolling. The SilverSneakers website also provides a search tool to connect seniors to participating health plans.

Some seniors who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan may already have this benefit as part of their coverage. Use the Instant Eligibility Check tool on the SilverSneakers website for immediate confirmation of whether a beneficiary is eligible.

Those who are covered by their insurance plan may register for SilverSneakers online right away. Once registered, seniors may download a membership card, locate participating fitness facilities and begin accessing benefits immediately.

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How Do You Enroll In Medicare

If you are already collecting Social Security benefits, the government will automatically enroll you in Medicare Parts A and B. However, in certain circumstances you can choose to decline Part B since it has a monthly cost if you opt to keep the coverage, Medicare will deduct the cost from any Social Security benefits you are collecting.

If you arent drawing Social Security benefits yet, your first chance to sign up for Medicare is when you turn 65. Although Medicare provides your healthcare coverage, you have to sign up through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board to determine if youre eligible and to find out if you paid Medicare taxes long enough to get Part A without having to pay a monthly premium.

The seven-month enrollment period starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after the month of your birthday. Medicare coverage begins based on the month you signed up.

If you miss the seven-month initial enrollment period, you can sign up for Part B during general enrollment, which runs from January 1 to March 1, and coverage will begin on July 1. Note that you will pay a penalty for signing up late: The more years you delay, the higher the penalty.

There are some scenarios where you might want to wait to and you wont be penalized for example, if you or your spouse are still working, and you have health insurance through your job.

What Parts Of Medicare Cover Silversneakers

The SilverSneakers program is not included under all parts of the Medicare umbrella. Namely, Original Medicare does not offer the program as a benefit.

However, Medicare Advantage plans might provide coverage depending on the provider you use. SilverSneakers is included as a bundled benefit in most Medicare Advantage plans, which also offer extra perks like vision, hearing, and dental coverage.

Medicare Supplement plans may also provide SilverSneakers membership as a benefit. These plans are designed to fill the gaps for services that arent covered under Original Medicare. But again, it will depend on your providers particular benefits package.

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How Much Does Silversneakers Cost

It’s important to know that a SilverSneakers membership is free with some Medicare Advantage plans. However, additional fees may be charged with some classes or programs. If your health insurance does not cover the cost of a SilverSneakers membership, special pricing may still be available for seniors at your gym or fitness center.

Find Affordable Medicare Supplement Plans

What is SilverSneakers?

The editorial goal for REMEDIGAP is to help you make educated decisions on your healthcare needs. While many of our posts may display links to lead forms, this will not influence the content of our writing. We implement strict editorial standards so that we can provide you accurate information.

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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.

New To Medicare?

Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But dont worry, were here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.

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%.

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See If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Includes Silversneakers Membership

Some offer SilverSneakers as a supplemental benefit at no extra cost, while others may charge a small monthly fee. This benefit is not currently available through Original Medicare .

Be sure to speak with your insurance company and see if their Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers coverage.

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