Medicare Blog

how do i know if my medicare policy covers silversneakers

by Lexi D'Amore IV Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Eligible Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older just need to get a SilverSneakers membership card to show at participating fitness locations. Contact your health insurance plan to find out if SilverSneakers is covered, or visit the SilverSneakers website to check your eligibility online.

You can check your state's availability on the SilverSneakers website. Most Medicare Advantage plans cover SilverSneakers. SilverSneakers is available for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans. The program is also available within many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.Jun 9, 2022

Full Answer

Does Medicare cover SilverSneakers?

Unfortunately, Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not offer or include SilverSneakers. Additionally, you can’t buy a SilverSneakers membership outside of a health insurance plan from a private insurance company—you can only enroll through a qualifying MA or Medicare Supplement plan. How to get a SilverSneakers membership

What insurance plans offer Silver Sneakers benefits?

The program is currently included in many Medicare advantage, Medicare supplement and group retiree plans nationwide. You may use the SilverSneakers Health Plan Locator to find out which plans currently offer Silver Sneakers benefits.

How do I get a SilverSneakers quote?

If you’re considering a Medicare plan with SilverSneakers coverage, including Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, contact a Medicare.org licensed sales agent at 1-877-388-0596 – TTY 711 for a quote. What does the SilverSneakers program cost?

Are you eligible for SilverSneakers?

SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare Plans, but there’s no age requirement. If you have a Medicare Plan, you can check your SilverSneakers eligibility instantly here. Question #5: Do You Have Online Classes? Yes, and lots of them!

Does Medicare Cover Silver Sneakers?

SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program that provides gym access and fitness classes for older adults. It's covered by some Medicare plans. A 2019 study of SilverSneakers participants found that individuals with more gym visits had higher self-reported physical and mental health scores.

How do I know if I belong to Silver Sneakers?

Find out if you're eligible for SilverSneakers In order to be eligible for the SilverSneakers Fitness program, you must be: 65 or older, or eligible for Medicare because of a disability. Living in the U.S. Enrolled in a private Medicare plan that offers the SilverSneakers benefit.

Is the SilverSneakers program being discontinued?

Some of these include AARP Silver Sneakers (also known as United Healthcare), but they have discontinued this relationship in several states. Many Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance plans include this benefit at no extra cost.

Is Silver Sneakers free online?

Take online classes from home or visit us at the gym With SilverSneakers, you're free to move. Available at no cost for adults 65+ through select Medicare plans.

What is the difference between silver sneakers and renew active?

UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans that once covered SilverSneakers membership have replaced that coverage with a program called Renew Active. Renew Active is similar to SilverSneakers but also incorporates brain health activities.

Does AARP offer free gym memberships?

It includes: A free gym membership. Access to our nationwide gym network of gyms and fitness locations—the largest of all Medicare fitness programs. View thousands of on-demand workout videos and live streaming fitness classes.

What is AARP Silver Sneakers?

SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that's included with many Medicare Plans. SilverSneakers members can: Access live online fitness classes and an on-demand video library of prerecorded workouts.

Why did UHC drop silver sneakers?

According to Sam Warner, who leads UHC's Medicare Advantage product team, the company's move away from SilverSneakers® is to “reach a broader portion of our membership” with a “wider variety of fitness resources.” Warner noted that “over 90 percent of policyholders who are eligible for SilverSneakers® “never step foot ...

What is silver sneakers?

Silver Sneakers is the name of an organization that provides gym and fitness class memberships to people who are 65 and older and are eligible for Medicare coverage. Silver Sneakers programs are available in over 13,000 locations in the United States.

What are some outdoor activities that Silver Sneakers does?

Some of the outdoor activities include tai chi, yoga, or walking . Silver Sneakers even offers on-demand videos of classes and work outs that you can do at home. You can download their fitness app to your smart phone or tablet and take your workouts with you wherever you go.

Do Silver Sneakers have free gyms?

They offer free fitness programs in gyms, pools, and even outdoors. As a member of Silver Sneakers, you have access to a gym’s cardio equipment, pool, weights, and fitness classes lead by certified instructors. If you prefer being outside, there are programs that arrange member meetings at parks or recreation centers.

What is Silversneakers Medicare?

SilverSneakers provides a unique approach to help seniors stay active and connect with friends at the same time. The SilverSneakers Medicare program is available only through select Medicare Advantage plans or a few Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is another way to receive Medicare benefits by bundling everything Part A and Part B offers, and often gaining access to extra benefits such as vision, dental, hearing, or even SilverSneakers.

What is a silver sniper?

SilverSneakers is a popular fitness program that helps Medicare beneficiaries 65 and up to increase physical health, social wellbeing, and strong community bonds. It does this by providing group fitness classes for all abilities facilitated by trained instructors.

How many classes are there in Silversneakers?

The SilverSneakers Medicare program offers over 70 types of fitness classes for all fitness levels, and each one is taught by a certified instructor. You can choose a class to help you meet a specific fitness goal—from mobility to building muscle.

Is Silversneakers Classic good?

Overall, SilverSneakers Classic is a good way to help increase range of motion and muscle strength to make daily activities easier and improve overall well-being.

Can you get a Silversneakers membership without Medicare?

You must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that includes the SilverSneakers program membership. You can’t get a membership for the SilverSneakers Medicare program without being enrolled in a qualifying plan. To check your eligibility for the SilverSneakers program (and ...

Can you still use Silversneakers?

With most gyms closing across the country from the COVID-19 pandemic, can you still use your SilverSneakers membership? As a matter of fact, you can. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes SilverSneakers, you can work out from home and keep your social distancing game strong with video workouts.

Does Medicare Cover the SilverSneakers Program? 5 Facts to Know

If you or a relative is in the Silver Sneakers program, you need to know how coverage will work. Here is a guide on coverage for Medicare and Silver Sneakers.

Medicare and SilverSneakers: What's Covered?

Original Medicare doesn't cover fitness programs or gym memberships. Unfortunately, that means SilverSneakers isn't covered under Original Medicare.

How to Get Medicare Coverage for SilverSneakers?

No, Original Medicare plans won't cover SilverSneakers. But there is good news: some Medicare Part C plans and Medicare Supplemental insurance plans will cover SilverSneakers!

When to enroll in Silversneakers Advantage Plan?

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.

How long does Medicare enrollment last?

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 won’t have a ‘guaranteed right’ to be accepted anymore.

What is a silver sniper?

SilverSneakers is a fitness program that is specifically targeted to seniors in order to help them stay fit and healthy. In participating fitness and wellness centers, gyms and YMCAs and currently also online, you will find specially trained instructors to teach SilverSneakers classes.

Can you get Medicare Advantage with Silver Sneakers?

If you are eligible for Medicare , you may select to enroll in an advantage or supplement plan which includes Silver Sneakers benefits, if it is available in your geographic area. The program is currently included in many Medicare advantage, Medicare supplement and group retiree plans nationwide. You may use the SilverSneakers Health Plan Locator ...

Can you join Silversneakers at any time?

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.

How to check if you are covered by Silversneakers?

Contact your health insurance plan to find out if SilverSneakers is covered, or visit the SilverSneakers website to check your eligibility online. If you’re eligible, then you can fill out the SilverSneakers form online to get and print your membership ID card to bring to participating locations.

How old do you have to be to join Silversneakers?

How do I join SilverSneakers? SilverSneakers comes automatically with qualifying Medicare health insurance plans. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older just need to get a SilverSneakers membership card to show at participating fitness locations.

Is Silversneakers membership free?

With a qualifying health insurance plan, a SilverSneakers membership is free. However, any services not included in a basic membership may require additional fees such as personal training, tanning, or a massage.

Does Silversneakers cover health insurance?

SilverSneakers is only available to individuals with qualifying health insurance plans. However, if your insurance plan does not cover SilverSneakers, you can still join a gym! Contact the recreational centers and gyms in your area to learn about special pricing for seniors.

What Insurance Plans Include the SilverSneakers Fitness Program?

SilverSneakers is a popular fitness program offered through select Medicare plans to adults ages 65 or older. Members get access to exercise classes and events held at their local gyms or fitness facilities.

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.

SilverSneakers Eligibility and Coverage Areas

Any Medicare-eligible individual age 65 years or older is eligible for SilverSneakers. However, to actually get this coverage, you have to be officially enrolled in Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement plan that offers membership to the program.

What Parts of Medicare Cover SilverSneakers?

The SilverSneakers program is not included under all parts of the Medicare umbrella. Namely, Original Medicare (which includes both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) does not offer the program as a benefit.

What are the Benefits of SilverSneakers?

SilverSneakers hosts group fitness classes in 17,000 gyms and community facilities across the United States. Additionally, its FLEX program covers 80 different activities outside of the gym environment, from outdoor walking to yoga to strength training — all of which are activities promoted by public health organizations to benefit older adults.

What is Silversneakers community?

What they all know: SilverSneakers is more than a fitness program, and often it’s 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.

What can you use in Silversneakers?

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.

What classes do Silversneakers take?

Cardio and strength classes, which often offer a chair for support. Water aerobics classes. Chair and standing yoga classes. Tai chi, boot camp, and so much more! SilverSneakers classes are led by supportive instructors who are trained in senior fitness.

Is Silversneakers a Medicare plan?

SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare Plans, but there’s no age requirement. If you have a Medicare Plan, you can check your SilverSneakers eligibility instantly here.

Does Silversneakers work?

According to SilverSneakers members, it works. In fact, 94 percent of members rate their health as excellent, very good, or good. And 88 percent say SilverSneakers has improved their quality of life.

Is Silversneakers included in Medicare?

If SilverSneakers is included in your Medicare Plan, you can have all of that—at no additional cost to you. To help you learn more and take advantage of SilverSneakers, we put together this handy guide to answer your questions.

Can you join Silversneakers on Zoom?

Yes, and lots of them! If you’re a SilverSneakers member, you get access to both live online classes and prerecorded video workouts. SilverSneakers LIVE offers full-length SilverSneakers classes live through Zoom. With over 50 classes a week, there’s something for everyone.

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