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*Eligibility may vary. Contact your healthcare provider or local medicare office for further information.
NOTE: We are not affiliated with SilverSneakers, and you should NOT contact us with any sensitive information that is of a personal nature. We are merely a resource that provides information.
How Much Does Renew Active Cost
There is no additional monthly premium to participate in the Renew Active program. Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans that include the Renew Active benefit are available with a $0 premium.
The cost of a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance plan with Renew Active will vary depending on location and the level of coverage selected. You can explore the UHC Medicare Advantage plans available where you live to find a plan that covers Renew Active.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Fitness Benefits Like Silversneakers
Staying active is important for your health, regardless of age. Depending on your interests and level of physical activity, you may turn to a local gym, group fitness classes, or personal instructors for assistance in exercising.
How you receive your Medicare benefits determines whether you have access to low-cost or free fitness and wellness benefits, such as access to SilverSneakers, which is heavily used by beneficiaries and members. In fact, 88% of members say SilverSneakers has improved their quality of life.
The SilverSneakers benefit is not available on all plans. However, if you want to have access to SilverSneakers and are eligible for Medicare, you may have options. Here is some more information about SilverSneakers if you have TRICARE coverage and how you can take advantage of this benefit.
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How Does The Silversneakers Program Work
Once enrolled in a qualifying health plan, you can join the SilverSneakers program by visiting the SilverSneakers website.
You’ll then have access to more than 17,000 fitness centers nationwide and over 70 different types of exercise classes. Participating locations provide exercise activities specially designed for seniors. You’ll also get a variety of discounts on health-related services that may range from physical therapy and massage to health products and essential oils.
If a gym just isn’t your thing, SilverSneakers also offers a program called FLEX where they offer fitness classes and health-related activities in locations such as parks, community centers or churches. You can get out, get moving, and meet other like-minded seniors without going to a fitness center.
The cost of SilverSneakers is included in your Medicare plan, so there is no extra charge for you, no matter how many fitness centers or exercise classes you attend.
In addition, you’ll have access to an on-demand video library of fitness classes designed specifically for seniors that you can use anytime anywhere.
Here’s Why Medicare Plans With Silversneakers Are So Popular
If youre new to Medicare, you might be wondering, What is SilverSneakers®? Well, its a fitness program for seniors that comes with qualifying Medicare health plans and provides access to thousands of fitness locations across the country.
From weights and machines to group classes led by trained instructors, SilverSneakers has something for everyone at all levels of ability.
What’s so great about SilverSneakers?
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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.
What Does A Renew Active Membership Include
- GYM ACCESS: When we looked into all the benefits offered by Renew Active, we found the standard access to local gyms.
- BRAIN TRAINING: Interestingly, they also offered a unique feature of online brain training. The company partnered with BrainHQ to offer an app to keep your brain sharp with games and tools available on a PC or mobile device.
- The BrainHQ service is available for purchase from $8-$14 a month, so getting this included with your Renew membership does seem like a good deal.
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Is Silver Sneakers Free With Medicare
Silver Sneakers is a private health and fitness membership program designed for seniors. Its available at no cost to those enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage plan. There are over 16,000 participating Silver Sneaker gym facilities and 70 different types of health and fitness classes available nationwide.
Does Original Medicare Cover Silversneakers
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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What Fitness Plans Do Silversneakers Programs Offer
The SilverSneakers program has agreements with thousands of gyms and trained fitness and exercise instructors at more than 17,000 locations. The trained instructors provide fitness programs designed specifically for seniors.
The program also has an on-demand video library for people who prefer exercising at home and a program that holds fitness classes outside of gyms in parks, community centers and churches.
SilverSneakers Fitness Classes
What Is Silver Sneakers & Why Should I Be Interested
More than 60 health plans nationwide have partnered with Silver Sneakers to include this valuable benefit. Some of these include AARP Silver Sneakers , but they have discontinued this relationship in several states.
Many Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance plans include this benefit at no extra cost.
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What Does Silversneakers Cover
A SilverSneakers membership includes a basic gym membership at a fitness center near where you live, and members are granted access to any amenities that are included with a basic membership of the facility. Amenities will of course vary by location and could include access to things like swimming pools, saunas, sports courts, walking tracks, workout rooms and more.
Most gyms and fitness centers that participate in SilverSneakers also include exercise classes and wellness clubs specifically for seniors. These might include yoga, Tai Chi, walking or running clubs, sports leagues, weight and cardio training and more.
Some of the classes may be held at other locations such as parks or senior centers. Those who do not live near a SilverSneakers location may still participate at home using a series of SilverSneakers online exercise videos and live workout classes.
Youll Build Social Connections
Social connection also plays a key role in keeping you healthy, managing stress, and may even improve memory. SilverSneakers offers a community of like-minded folks who support one another in exercise and life. Plus, the camaraderie of SilverSneakers classes can keep you coming back. In fact, nearly 50 percent of active members say they are motivated to continue exercising because they found a friend through SilverSneakers.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your SilverSneakers eligibility instantly here.
Article compliments of SilverSneakers®, a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ and included with select Medicare plans at no extra cost. SilverSneakers members get access to thousands of fitness locations nationwide and online classes for seniors of all fitness levels. Learn more at silversneakers.com
Did you know that with Original Medicare there is no limit to how much you spend out of pocket each year? eHealth can help you find coverage that puts a yearly cap on your spending!
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If Your Health Plan Doesnt Include Silversneakers
Your plan either offers SilverSneakers or it doesnt you cant add it on separately. If youre interested in joining a Medicare Advantage plan in your area that does include SilverSneakers, one of our licensed insurance agents can help you explore your options.
Find Medicare plans that cover SilverSneakers
Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
About the author
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelors degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
Where you’ve seen coverage of Christian’s research and reports:
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.
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.
How Does Silver Sneakers Gym Membership Work
Youll get a basic membership at any gym and participating location in the SilverSneakers network. 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.
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What If My Plan Doesnt Include Silversneakers
Its in everyones best interests for insurance plans to offer fitness benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, exercise protects against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and can even help prevent some forms of cancer. It also improves mental health and contributes to a better quality of life. For these reasons, its not surprising that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study showed almost one-half of all U.S. workplaces include fitness benefits in their health plans.
SilverSneakers is a subsidiary of Tivity Health, the company behind Nutrisystem, Prime Fitness, and Wisely Well brands. Although its the largest company offering Medicare fitness programs, it competes against programs such as Active & Fit Direct and Silver & Fit.
Insurers that want to offer fitness benefits choose the program that makes the most sense for their members. Some insurance companies develop their own fitness networks. For instance, UnitedHealthcare recently scaled back its participation in SilverSneakers in favor of Renew Active, a new fitness program created exclusively for UHC Medicare Advantage members.
If your Medicare plan doesnt offer SilverSneakers, it may offer one of the other fitness programs. You may even get fitness benefits with your life insurance policy: For example, John Hancocks Vitality Program rewards policyholders who participate in an active lifestyle.
Find Silversneakers Locations Near You:
To find SilverSneakers® locations near you, or click on the buttons below. You can search by class type, amenity , or even gender if you prefer a women-only gym. Some examples of locations that may support the program are hospital wellness centers, select Planet Fitness locations, and other local gyms.
Note: YMCAs are part of the SilverSneakers® network in many states. However, YMCAs are NOT part of the SilverSneakers® network in Tennessee as of January 1, 2020.Chattanooga, TNChicago, ILHouston, TXKnoxville, TNLexington, KYLouisville, KYMemphis, TNNashville, TNNew Orleans, LASan Antonio, TXTucson, AZ
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Are You Eligible Check If Youre Covered Today
You can see if the health program is covered by your insurance and, if not, which insurance companies provide coverage. To check whether or not your Medicare plan includes the SilverSneakers program, you will need to begin by looking at your summary of benefits.
In addition, check if you can apply for the program under your medicare coverage. Print out a membership card that makes signing up for a program easier and explore your area to find what senior friendly fitness centers are available in your area.
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:
- Cardio.
- 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.
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Silver And Fit Vs Silversneakers
While both Silver and Fit and SilverSneakers are available through Medicare, there are some key differences that set each program apart. Eligibility is the same, so it is up to the user which one they prefer.
SilverSneakers, by far, has more locations available to seniors, with 17,000 gyms available. Silver and Fit has about 11,000 locations nationwide. Despite the lack of locations on the part of Silver and Fit, they provide 17 different home fitness kits that allow seniors to work out on their own time from the comfort of their home. This is great for people who do not want the instructor style of workout, which is what SilverSneakers excels at. Along with instructor-based fitness in a SilverSneakers gym, they offer instruction outside of the facility in classes such as yoga and Tai Chi.
Choosing A Medicare Plan With Silversneakers Benefits
You have a lot of choices when it comes to picking a plan with SilverSneakers benefits. Both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance plans offer SilverSneakers benefits. Be sure to carefully review all of the plans available in your local area.
Dont pick a plan just for the SilverSneakers benefit. Instead, be sure to pick a plan that is a good fit for you and meets the following needs:
- Doctors who are important to you accept the plan.
- The plan will cover the medications you take.
- The plan has a monthly premium you can afford.
- The plan has an out-of-pocket maximum amount that you can afford and that protects your savings.
- The plan will cover you outside the United States .
When considering the two main plan types availableMedicare Advantage and Medicare Supplementkeep the following facts in mind:
- If you choose Medicare Supplement, youll also have to enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan .
- You cant enroll in both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement at the same time.
- Medicare Supplement is generally more expensive than Medicare Advantage.
- Your out-of-pocket costs are usually lower with Medicare Supplement.
Regardless of which route you take, youll need to be eligible for Original Medicare Part A and B before you can enroll.
The bottom line is that SilverSneakers is a very useful and valuable benefit, but you need to choose your Medicare plan based on your other needs as well.
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How Do You Get Silversneakers
SilverSneakers is not a Medicare program. Your eligibility depends on your location and the insurance company you have. The program partners with some Medicare Supplement insurance companies to provide members access to the free fitness benefits.
You can ask your agent if you are eligible, or use the SilverSneakers online tool. Once you determine eligibility, you can go to any participating SilverSneakers location to receive your benefits.
Nothing on this website should ever be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult with your medical provider regarding diagnosis or treatment for a health condition, including decisions about the correct medication for your condition, as well as prior to undertaking any specific exercise or dietary routine.
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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