About Mutual Of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha is an established company that started in 1909. It’s most known for its life insurance policies, but its Medicare Supplement plans are popular. With 1.4 million Medigap policyholders, it has 10% of the market share.Medigap policies are sold under the brand names:
- Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.
- United of Omaha Life Insurance Co.
- Omaha Insurance Co.
- United World Life Insurance Co.
Note that Mutual of Omaha no longer offers Medicare Advantage plans. In 2020, this small portion of the business with its 2,500 policies was sold to Essence Healthcare.
Mutual of Omaha is a financially strong company and is rated A+ by AM Best. This means you can feel confident that the company will be able to pay claims.
Customer Reviews And Complaints
Mutual of Omahaâs Medicare Supplement plans have moderate ratings. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners , the Medicare Supplement division of the company has 4% fewer complaints than is typical of an insurance company of its size.
This average rating may not seem noteworthy except that other providers that offer cheap rates often have a poor customer experience. For example, Bright HealthCare has seven times more complaints than is typical for an insurer of its size.
Also, Mutual of Omaha has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau . Customer reviews on the site average only one out of five stars, but the overall rating shows that the insurer actively works to respond to issues. Customer feedback on the site focuses on the companyâs other products including life insurance, loans and disability insurance. Comments about these other products include billing issues, a lengthy claims process and poor customer service interactions.
Notably, the company’s Medicare Part D plans are rated just 2.5 stars on Medicare.gov. However, issues pertaining to these plans don’t necessarily apply to Medigap plans. About half of the people who disenrolled in the prescription plans cited financial reasons, a likely result of the high costs of the prescription drug plans.
Which Is Better Medicare Advantage Or Supplements
Its important to know that Medicare Advantage plans are much different than Medicare supplement plans and you cannot have both at the same time. While Silver Sneakers is a nice perk, it may not be reason enough to choose one policy over the other. Its a good idea to discuss the differences with an independent agent before enrolling.
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How Is Silversneakers Different From Mutually Well
SilverSneakers is a senior-focused fitness program included in many Medicare Advantage plans and even some Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.
SilverSneakers includes a basic gym membership at thousands of participating gyms and fitness centers, most of which also feature group fitness classes and programs designed specifically for older adults, such as yoga, water aerobics, walking clubs and more.
Some Medicare plans dont offer SilverSneakers membership as a benefit but instead offer health and fitness benefits through programs such as Mutually Well or Silver & Fit.
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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Highlights Of Mutual Of Omahas Mutually Well Platform Include:
- access to Tivity Healths WholeHealth Living Choices®
- flexible, budget-friendly fitness program with access to 10,000+ fitness locations with no enrollment fee or contracts for a low cost of $25.00 a month
- complementary and alternative medicine
- discounts of up to 30% on healthy living products and services from 20,000+ providers
- specialties include chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and nutritional programs, along with discounts on mind/body therapies and healthy living products
- free 30-day walking program and personalized weekly planning for their nutrition, fitness and wellness needs
We are excited to bring our best-in-class programs including fitness, nutrition, and restand recovery to Mutual of Omahas Medicare Supplement customers, said Tivity Health CEO Donato Tramuto. Physical activity, as well as the social connections that are made as part of a fitness program, are important components to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This program represents a tremendous opportunity to address many other social determinants of health that contribute to poor health and high healthcare costs.
Check out our Questions and Answers about Mutually Well at
Which Insurance Companies Offer Silversneakers
Some of the health insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans offer at least one plan that includes SilverSneakers membership.
Some Medicare Advantage plan carriers that you may consider include:
For California residents, CA-Do Not Sell My Personal Info, .
MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.
The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Callers will be directed to a licensed insurance agent with TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc. and/or a third-party partner who can provide more information about Medicare Advantage Plans offered by one or several Medicare-contracted carrier. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc., and the licensed sales agents that may call you are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
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Mutual Of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plan N
Plan N is the 3rd most popular Medigap plan and is offered by MOO. N is similar to G as it has the $233 annual deductible. Also, N has an office copay up to $20, $50 E.R. copay , and Part B excess charges are not covered. .
Plan N can be a great option for someone who doesnt mind the office copays and wants to enjoy a lower premium than G or N.
The Medicare Plan Fitness Gameboard
Mutual of Omaha is starting its relationship with Tivity Health as UnitedHealth, a major player in the Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan markets, has been cutting back on use of the SilverSneakers program.
UnitedHealth dropped SilverSneakers access for 1.2 million Medicare Advantage plan enrollees in 11 states this year, and for 1.3 million Medigap policyholders in nine states.
Mark Farrah Associates says in a Medigap market analysis that UnitedHealth, AARPs Medigap provider, had a 34% share of Medigap enrollment in 2018, with 4.5 million Medigap enrollees.
Mutual of Omaha had a 10% share and 1.4 million Medigap enrollees.
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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.
Members can also participate from home using the programs on-demand video library.
The program is not covered by all parts of Medicare, and not every private insurance provider offers it as a benefit. In this guide, we will outline which providers include it in their coverage, what parts of Medicare cover it, program eligibility and more.
Several large health insurance companies provide SilverSneakers membership at no cost to enrollees.
What Is The Silver Sneakers Program
The Silver Sneakers program consists on a free or discounted gym membership for participating plan members. It is not available for direct purchase as your plan must offer it as an add-on benefit. Silver Sneakers works at private gyms such as Golds Gym or the YMCA. Gym participation in Silver Sneakers vary by county.
Alternative options to Silver Sneakers.
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Benefits Of Being And Staying Fit As We Age
Balance is critical as we age. As our body gets weaker, the likelihood of falling increases. I can think of many instances in my life where someone I knew was doing fine. After a fall, their health deteriorated quickly.
The older we get, the longer it takes our bodies to heal. The best way to avoid a falling injury is to do exercises to help improve and maintain our abilities to balance.
Strength training is a little different from when we are younger. As we age, maintaining our strength is vital to keep our bodies strong enough to handle the tasks we complete daily. Strength training will also slow the pace that your muscles weaken.
Cardiovascular endurance will help with being healthy in many ways. The most notable will be lung health and oxygen levels. Staying cardio-healthy will increase lung capacity, increasing the amount of oxygen your body receives. Oxygen helps keep all aspects of your body healthy.
Flexibility/Mobility goes hand in hand with balance. If you can move more freely and have more elasticity of your joints and tendons, you are more likely to keep your balance.
Maintaining and increasing your flexibility will also lower joint and muscle pain, making day-to-day life more enjoyable.
Studies have shown that staying physically active also increases brain functions.
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How Do You Get A Membership
SilverSneakers list of participating health plans changes over time. For example, the parent company, Tivity Health, Inc., dropped some plans around 2016 while it redefined its mission and restructured. In 2020, eight new health plans will offer SilverSneakers.
If you have a preferred gym or fitness studio, ask if they partner with SilverSneakers. You can also check with your plan provider or the SilverSneakers website.
Look for access within your Medicare Advantage plan. The best time to do so is when you enroll in a new plan or review an existing one during the annual open enrollment period between October 15 and December 7. You can also make SilverSneakers one of the criteria for selecting your Medicare Supplement plan.
Check here for Medicare plans in your state that include SilverSneakers.
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What Does Medicare Part A Cover
Medicare Part A covers an assortment of items, including home health care, inpatient care in a hospital, hospice care, skilled nursing facility care, and inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare.gov notes that there are two ways to find out if Medicare covers what you need. This includes talking to your doctor or using an online tool to find the answer.
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What Your Peers Are Reading
Mutual of Omahas program will also include a mobile app that will recommend personalized daily wellness plans and exercise programs, and access to Tivity Healths alternative medicine discount program network.
The alternative medicine discount program includes about 20,000 providers of services such as chiropractic care and products such as vitamins.
The Latest
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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 Do I Get Silver Sneakers
If you arent sure, just ask your agent while considering your options. Sometimes we cannot disclose all perks offered by an insurance company so as not to inadvertently steer clients one way or the other.
Of course, Silver Sneakers is one of the biggest perks and some of our clients will choose a carrier based on this benefit alone. Its important to crunch the numbers, however. If you frequently use the gym and a membership will save you $60 a month, then it might be an easy decision. But if you dont use the gym often you might benefit from a lower cost Medicare plan that does not offer this benefit. We can help compare your best options.
Here are a few FAQs that will help you:
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When Can I Apply For Medicare Supplement Insurance
Your open enrollment period starts when you turn 65 or when you first sign up for Part B. It lasts for 6 months. This is the best time to sign up, because youll get the best possible rate and cant be denied for a pre-existing condition. After this 6-month window closes, you can still apply but the insurance company may use medical underwriting. There is also the possibility that you could be denied.
What Insurance Plans Offer Silversneakers
Before we list the specific insurance companies that include SilverSneakers coverage, its important to keep several things in mind:
- The list of providers currently offering access to SilverSneakers changes every year.
- This list below details the major carriers widely known in the United Statesyou may find other, lesser-known insurance companies that offer SilverSneakers.
- Not all plans in all states or counties will have SilverSneakers, even if the insurance company is listed as offering the program. For this reason, you should always check the specifics of any plan youre interested in.
For 2021, the following alphabetical list comprises insurance companies that offer SilverSneakers as part of their plan benefits:
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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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About Tivity Health Inc
Tivity Health®, Inc. is a leading provider of health improvement, nutrition, fitness, and social engagement solutions at scale to improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and create opportunities to feel better, work better and live better. With decades of clinical and operational expertise, the Company touches millions of consumers through its integrated portfolio of brands and works directly with hundreds of healthcare practitioners and many of the nations largest payers and employers. Tens of millions of Americans are currently eligible for Tivity Healths SilverSneakers®, Prime® Fitness, WholeHealth Living, and flip50 programs and millions of people have lost weight with Nutrisystem®, South Beach Diet® and DNA BodyBlueprint. As part of its commitment to tackling social isolation and loneliness, in 2017, Tivity Health launched a rural aging initiative to address challenges unique to older adults in rural communities. Learn more at http://www.tivityhealth.com/
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What Does Membership Include And Exclude
Membership offers classes designed for seniors, from chair-supported yoga to high-intensity interval workouts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests adults get 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activity.4 You can meet that with a few SilverSneakers classes.
You can work out at any SilverSneakers-affiliated facility in the U.S.
You can also access over 120 online guided workouts at SilverSneakers.com. These videos include:
- Fall prevention.
- SilverSneakers EnerChi.
You can install a mobile fitness app called SilverSneakers Go that lets you find locations, schedule activities, and track your progress. The app also offers access to a video library of guided workouts. For walking programs, you can give the app permission to track your route and save your activity to your activity log.
You get a basic membership at any participating location in the SilverSneakers network. But you are not limited to using one site. Facilities, amenities, and classes vary by location. In general, membership provides access to:
- Fewer hospital admissions.
Does Medicare Cover Silversneakers
Medicare does not cover the costs of fitness programs and gym memberships. Thus, Original Medicare does not cover the cost of SilverSneakers.
Medicare Advantage plans can offer additional benefits that are not available through Original Medicare. Often, these plans include some type of gym membership or wellness programs.
Medicare Supplement policies usually do not include coverage for gym memberships. However, some carriers offer Medigap plans that do include the SilverSneakers benefit. The availability of these plans also varies by state, so speaking with a licensed agent is the best way to find out if you can enroll in a Medigap policy that includes coverage for a gym membership.
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Private companies offer different plan options. Beneficiaries should compare plan rates in their area. Some plans include this benefit at no extra charge while other policies require an additional payment for gym benefits.
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