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Silver Sneakers Guide: What You Need to Know
Silver Sneakers Medicare program is one of the best extra benefits offered through Medicare Advantage plans and select Medigap plans across the United States. A recent survey showed nearly 70% of those on Medicare Advantage plans chose their plan based on the simple fact they would receive a Silver Sneakers membership to keep their fitness levels and physical activity a top priority. It’s no wonder why more Medigap (Medicare Supplement health insurance) companies are beginning to offer Silver Sneakers with their Plan G and Plan F.
An awareness of personal health and wellness is spreading more than ever due to the advancements in medicine and technology. More and more people are living with pre-existing health conditions and Silver Sneakers is playing a major role in that.
As with most things related to Medicare, there are a lot of details and Silver Sneakers is no different. This guide will help not only serve as an ongoing resource but also educate you on the following elements of the Medicare Silver Sneakers program. Be sure to click the button to bookmark this page for reference in the future!
Silver Sneakers Quick Links
- What is Silver Sneakers?
- How does Silver Sneakers work?
- What Type of Services Does Silver Sneakers Medicare Cover?
- Who pays for Silver Sneakers
- Silver Sneakers eligibility
- How to get a new Silver Sneakers card
- How to find Silver Sneakers locations near you
- List of Medicare plans that offer Silver Sneakers
- Popular Silver Sneakers workout videos to watch at home
- Benefits of being a Silver Sneakers member
What is Silver Sneakers?
Silver Sneakers is the most well-known senior fitness solution available through many Medicare Advantage programs with participating locations in all 50 states. The goal of Silver Sneakers is to enhance the health and wellness of Medicare policy holders by offering exercise classes in more than 13,000 locations.
And, it’s free!
For example, if you are an AARP Medicare member, you have access to Silver Sneakers eligibility which will, for example, cover your costs for a local gym. Silver Sneakers in St. Louis has 116 locations including many recreation centers, so you could choose the closest one to your home and start using their services for free through your health plan membership. The same goes for any other cities with Silver Sneakers gyms. Simply show your silver sneakers card and start working out.
The reason Medicare Advantage companies offer free Silver Sneakers memberships is to help keep their claims costs down. The healthier they can keep you, the lower their overall costs. It’s to their advantage to pay for a gym membership to avoid paying for potentially much higher medical costs down the road.
It’s a win-win.
And, 68% of Silver Sneakers member say that Silver Sneakers membership is one of the primary reasons they don’t change their health insurance. On top of that, 54% of members said they would change their health plan if they lost their Silversneakers benefit.
If you haven’t already, check your Medicare Advantage plan summary of benefits for Silver Sneakers eligibility and the various fitness locations in your areas.
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 (Medicare Part C) you are eligible for a free Silver Sneakers gym membership. It’s that easy.
How it works is simple, too.
- Meet Silver Sneakers eligibility requirements by enrolling in a participating Medicare plan
- Enter your information on the Silver Sneakers website.
- Get a copy of your Silver Sneakers card
- Google “Silver Sneakers near me”
- Take your card to the Silver Sneakers gym of your choice
- Join your favorite exercise program such as cardio or other active aerobics.
Can anyone join SilverSneakers?
NO!
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.
Does Medicare pay for silver sneakers?
Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance companies approved by Medicare that must offer the same benefits as original Medicare. And, many of the Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits such as Silver Sneakers.
What is the silver sneakers age requirements?
As long as you are eligibile for Medicare Parts A and B, you can enroll in a participating Medicare Silver Sneakers plan.
This means that the private insurance companies are picking up the bill for Silver Sneakers and passing that benefit to you as a member.
This is how you are able to get your free Silver Sneakers membership.
Silver Sneakers Program Requirements
SilverSneakers eligibility is based around the Medicare Advantage plan you are currently enrolled. Below are the Silver Sneaker eligibility requirements:
- 65 or older
- 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 (AEP is October 15th through December 7th). At that time your Silver Sneakers membership will seamlessly transfer with any Medicare Silver Sneakers partner you enroll with for your health benefits.
Silver Sneakers: Medicare Includes it?
This is a great question.
Medicare and the Silver Sneakers program go hand in hand as Silver Sneakers is the leading wellness provider for Medicare Advantage plans across the US. With nearly 10 Million members, there is a good chance your Medicare plan offers Silver Sneakers.
To check if your Medicare plan includes the Silver Sneakers program, you need to check your summary of benefits. Below is an example of what you will see in your summary of benefits booklet.
As you can see, Silver Sneakers is listed as “included” which means you can begin your fitness plan through Medicare Silver Sneakers immediately. If it’s not listed in your Medicare plan’s summary of benefits, then you should check Silver Sneakers Eligibility to a find a participating plan.
Checking if your health plan includes Silver Sneakers is simple.
- Check your state by clicking here
- Review the Medicare plans that offer Silver Sneakers program.
- If your plan isn’t listed, contact a local independent Medicare Advisor to get information about enrolling in a health plan that offers the Silver Sneakers program.
Or, you could simply go to Google and type in Silver Sneakers followed by the city or state you live in. Below are some hypothetical examples and step-by-step instructions how you can find information on Medicare Advantage plans that offer Silver Sneakers near you. Just insert the city or state of your choice.
Silver Sneakers Tucson (enter Silver Sneakers followed by your city)
Silver Sneakers Ohio (enter Silver Sneakers followed by your state)
Silver Sneakers CT (enter Silver Sneakers followed by your state abbreviation)
Silver Sneakers LA Fitness (enter Silver Sneakers followed by your city and the word fitness)
You could even try googling, “Silver Sneakers near me”, “silver sneakers eligibility requirements”, “local silver sneakers program”, or Medicare silver sneakers near me”. Or, you can look up the SilverSneakers phone number and give them a call.
Common Medicare Advantage Plans that include Silver Sneakers Eligibility
Many of the top Medicare Advantage plans participate in the Silver Sneakers programs.
Below is a list of the most common, you’ll just need to confirm that each of the regional plans within these carriers also offers Silver Sneakers.
- Silver Sneakers AARP Plans
- Aetna
- Alignment Health Plan
- Amerigroup
- Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Avmed Medicare Choice
- Blue Shield of California
- Caremore Health Plan
- Coventry Health Care
- Essence Healthcare
- Florida Blue
- Freedom Health
- Health Advantra
- Silver Sneakers Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- Medical Mutual
- Medigold
- Optimum Healthcare
- Scan Health Plan
- United Healthcare Silver Sneakers
- Wellcare
- BayCare Accepted Medicare Advantage Plans
- Many more.
Where can I go to use the Medicare Silver Sneakers program? What gyms or fitness centers accept Silver Sneakers?
With more than 13,000 Silver Sneakers gyms available, finding a Silver Sneakers location near you shouldn’t be difficult. More and more gyms are joining Silver Sneakers because they realize the importance of keeping Baby Boomers and older seniors healthy.
Here are some of the gyms that offer Silver Sneakers throughout the US:
- YMCA Silver Sneakers
- Gold’s Gym Silver Sneakers
- Planet Fitness Silver Sneakers
- Curves Silver Sneakers
- Local Community Center Silver Sneakers
- Platinum Fitness
- Chuze Fitness
- Anytime Fitness
- Many More Silver Sneakers gyms are available
Silver Sneakers program isn’t just available through local fitness centers, gyms, and clubs. Many large employers have Silver Sneaker reimbursement which allows you access to their fitness centers.
Here are some of the employers that meet Silver Sneakers eligibility requirements.
• Monsanto
• Edward Jones
• Emerson
You can also find more information on Silver Sneakers or ask direct questions by following them on Facebook. Simply login to your Facebook account and search “Silver Sneakers” or go here and click follow.
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 don’t 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?
NO!
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
How can I find a Silver Sneakers Near Me?
Finding a Medicare Silver Sneakers gym near you is extremely simple using the following process.
Step 1: The easiest way to find silver sneakers near me if to go to the Silver Sneakers website and open its location search page.
Step 2: Enter your state, city, ZIP code or full address (For example Ohio, Tucson, Seattle, or CT)
Step 3: Choose the Medicare Silver Sneakers location of your choice
What Type of Services Does Silver Sneakers Medicare Cover?
Once you’re 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:
- Bereavement
- Loneliness
- Loss of Independence
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hip or Knee Injuries
- Stroke Recovery
- Joint replacements
It’s 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.
Silver Sneakers Video: Great at Home Exercises
It’s not just about the SilverSneakers classes gyms offer. It’s about how they train you on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While they offer programs like Silver Sneakers Yoga, Silver Sneakers Classic, Silver Sneakers Circuit, BOOM and many more, they offer an entire line of videos to help you learn the best way to exercise.
As a senior citizen it’s important to maintain your cardiovascular and joint health as you get older.
Below are some of the most popular Silver Sneakers videos you can watch from the comfort of your own home.
Silver Sneakers YOGA, One of the Best Senior Fitness Programs.
Silver Sneakers Outdoor Total Body Workout: Great Fitness Programs for Women
Silver Sneakers Hip Exercises: Bodyweight exercises to strengthen your hips
Silver Sneakers Quick Core Workout at Home
Best Exercises for Seniors
As a senior it’s important to stay active. Sure, it can get hard as you get older, but there are so many senior fitness programs that offer great ways you can get your exercise when you don’t have time for the gym. We went through the Silver Sneakers videos and library and compiled a list of the best exercises for seniors using a simple resistance band. You can literally do these Silver Sneakers exercises anywhere!
- Squats
- Leg Extensions
- Lateral Band Walk
- Bent-Over Row
- Push-Ups
- Bench Press
- Shoulder Press
- Standing Bicep Curls
- Kneeling Crunch
These resistance band exercises seniors will build strength and aid in improving balance. Many exercise videos for seniors include these types of movements and can easily be found on YouTube.
Conclusion
As you now know, Silver Sneakers is one of best benefits included with select Medicare Advantage plans.
As a premier health and wellness program, the free Silver Sneakers membership remains one of the driving factors people choose their Medicare health plan. Even when you switch your Medicare during open enrollment you Silver Sneakers membership doesn’t change as long as your new plan offers it.
Silver Sneakers members enjoy many benefits…
- Free fitness memberships from Medicare Advantage
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower Cholesterol
- New friendships
- Better health
- Longer life!
If you haven’t been using Silver Sneakers, contact a local Medicare Advantage plan today to see if you are eligible for your free gym membership with Silver Sneakers.
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