If you are over 65 and looking to get out of the house and into the gym, check out the Silver Sneakers program. SilverSneakers® enrollment is easy, the benefits are many and most seniors have eligibility with Medicare Advantage (and some Medicare Supplement) plans
SilverSneakers® Program Enrollment Benefits and Eligibility
If you are over 65 and looking to get out of the house and into the gym, check out the Silver Sneakers program. SilverSneakers® enrollment is easy, the benefits are many and most seniors have eligibility with Medicare Advantage (and some Medicare Supplement) plans
If you are over 65 and looking to get exercise but are reluctant to pay for a gym membership, SilverSneakers is an exercise and wellness program for seniors. “Designed for all (fitness) levels and abilities, SilverSneakers programs provide access to fitness equipment, group exercise classes, social networking, online education and a sense of community.”
Benefits of the SilverSneakers Program
SilverSneakers partners with gyms and community centers to offer seniors access to fitness equipment, pools, tennis courts and tracks as well as more than 70 specially created exercise classes for all fitness levels. The classes are taught by certified instructors and are designed specifically for older adults. Some of the participating gyms include LA Fitness, Golds Gym, Anytime Fitness and YMCA’s. There is also a Silver Sneakers® On-Demand app that provides access to online workouts, exercise programs and wellness videos. Here is a sampling of some of their in-person courses:
SilverSneakers Classes
SilverSneakers Classic – A class that helps to increase muscle strength, range of movement and improve activity levels
SilverSneakers CardioFit – High energy with low impact aerobics
SilverSneakers Stability – A specially designed workout to help seniors become stronger, promote balance and reduce falls by focusing on exercises that improve ankle, knee and hip joint strength and flexibility while improving reaction time
WaterinMotion® – Water in Motion offers the calorie-burning benefits of high intensity aerobics but with the cross training effect of being in the water, reducing the impact on the knees and back.
SilverSneakers Boom Move, Mind and Muscle – ‘Boom Move’ is a high intensity dance workout that is all about breaking a sweat while burning calories. ‘Boom Mind’ is a yoga/Pilates fusion class that focusses on relaxation while strengthening the core, while ‘Boom Muscle’ uses athletic-based exercises to improve the upper body.
In addition, SilverSneakers FLEX® offers outside the gym experiences and classes such as line dancing, Tai Chi, walking groups and indoor/outdoor fitness boot camps through recreation centers, older-adult living communities and parks. With over 15,000 participating locations nationwide, there is bound to be one near you.
Find a SilverSneakers Program Near You!
SilverSneakers Eligibility
Unfortunately, you cannot pay a membership fee to join SilverSneakers as it is funded through Medicare providers. Basic Medicare (Parts A & B) does not include the SilverSneakers program. To have access, you need to apply and enroll in either a Medicare Advantage (aka ‘Medicare Part C’) or a Medicare Supplement (Part D or “Medigap’) plan that offers a SilverSneakers membership. Medicare Advantage plans are private medical insurance plans that typically offer more benefits than the traditional Medicare Parts A & B and require a separate premium. Medicare Supplement plans ‘supplement’ Parts A & B by offering prescription drug coverage. According to the SilverSneakers website, “the program is covered by one in four Medicare programs,” the majority of which are Medicare Advantage. If your Medicare insurance plan does include SilverSneakers, you can take advantage of their programs and classes for free – no additional fee required.
Insurance Companies Eligibility for SilverSneakers
Whether you have access to SilverSneakers with your Medicare Advantage of Supplement plan depends on your insurance company, specific policy and often the state of county where you live. (Wyoming, for instance, does not offer SilverSneakers with any of its Medicare plans.) Here is a list of some of the insurers that offer SilverSneakers as a Medicare Advantage plan benefit:
Aetna
Aenta Coventry
Anthem (Amerigroup)
Clover
Bankers Life
Eon Health
Humana
Kaiser Permanente
Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield
WellCare
Coverage is subject to change at any time. Until recently, United Health Care and the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance (offered through United) offered SilverSneakers. However, in January 2020, United dropped SilverSneakers and replaced it with something called RenewActive™.
If you don’t see your health plan listed online and/or want to confirm, give SilverSneakers a call at 866-584-7389 or drop them an email at support@silversneakers.com. You can also check eligibility by going to the SilverSneakers website:
Check Eligibility for SilverSneakers
How to Get Your SilverSneakers Membership Card
Once you have determined eligibility, getting your SilverSneakers membership card is easy.
Go to JOIN HERE to create an online account. Once an account is created, you will receive a 16-digit membership ID number. You can then bring your membership ID number to any participating location for instant access to classes, equipment and amenities. Or you can download a membership card on the website.
According to a member survey, “88% of SilverSneakers members felt that they have a better quality of life since joining, more than 90% said that their health was good, very good or excellent and 75% have made new friends because of the program.” With so many benefits, now is the time to see if SilverSneakers is right for you.