You may have heard of the SilverSneakers fitness program, but you may not be entirely sure what it is.
SilverSneakers is a fitness program explicitly aimed at Medicare beneficiaries. It helps these individuals improve and maintain their health, fitness, and social well-being.
Enrollment in the program is not difficult, and nationwide there are thousands of participating facilities. So, how do you qualify and sign up for the program?
Keep reading as we give you all the details on the SilverSneakers program, including how to qualify, how to sign up, and how much it costs.
What Is The SilverSneakers Program?
The SilverSneakers program is a fitness program designed specifically for Medicare beneficiaries. It is a lifestyle program designed to improve overall health and well-being.
Traditionally, the program has provided access to fitness classes at thousands of fitness locations nationwide.
- These classes can include aerobics, Zumba, Tai Chi, and water aerobics, to name a few. All classes are taught by trained instructors, so this program can provide a great fitness benefit.
- Membership in the program also provides access to fitness equipment, much like a traditional gym membership.
However, the locations that provide these services don’t just include gyms. Other places, like community centers, senior centers, churches, and other participating locations, provide access to these services for those with a SilverSneakers membership.
Recently, SilverSneakers has expanded its reach beyond physical buildings.
- They now provide many online offerings to help more people gain access to these beneficial offerings.
Many online classes are offered through Zoom, Facebook Live, and other platforms. Sometimes, you don’t need a membership to access some of this content.
Much of the content is available as on-demand videos, so you can watch it anywhere and anytime. These exercise classes help older adults stay active and improve their overall wellness.
SilverSneakers members not only get access to these aerobics classes, but they also get much more than that at some participating locations.
- They might even get access to swimming pools, walking tracks, and other amenities that you would expect from a complete fitness center.
So, how do you get involved with SilverSneakers? Find out in the next section.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The SilverSneakers program provides fitness classes and fitness equipment through traditional gym memberships free of charge.
- You can qualify for the program if you are 65 or older or disabled. You must also sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan that includes the SilverSneakers benefit.
- The original Medicare plan does not include coverage for the SilverSneakers program.
SilverSneakers Eligibility Requirements
So, who is eligible for SilverSneakers? First, you must be eligible for Medicare through age or disability.
- To qualify based on age, you need to be at least 65.
However, you should know that signing up for original Medicare will not qualify you for the SilverSneakers benefit. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B do not cover the SilverSneakers program.
- To be eligible for SilverSneakers, you must sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plan that includes the SilverSneakers benefit.
Remember the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage. Medigap helps cover out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage combines all your Medicare coverage into a single plan.
If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage health plan or Medigap plan, you can visit SilverSneakers to determine whether your plan includes the SilverSneakers fitness membership.
Remember that private insurance companies manage these plans, and those companies get to set their own rules about their plans.
- These plans are not required to provide a SilverSneakers membership, so you must check each plan to determine whether the SilverSneakers benefit is included.
Those who wish to switch to a plan that includes SilverSneakers should check the Medicare plan finder tool.
The tool provides a list of plans available in your area, and you can select the plan that works for your situation based on its total cost and the benefits provided.
Must read articles related to Services for Seniors
- Discover Free Government Money Programs and Financial Assistance for Seniors.
- Find out how to get free cell phones for seniors.
- Learn how to apply for Social Security.
- Begin the estate planning journey by learning what a trust is.
- Figure out how much you can earn while on Social Security.
Medicare Advantage Plans That Include SilverSneakers
Selecting the right health insurance plan can sometimes be confusing, especially since there are so many different providers today.
If you are looking for a healthcare plan that includes SilverSneakers, here are some of the best Medicare Advantage plans that include this benefit.
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Aetna
- Humana
- UnitedHealthcare
Remember that the plans available to you depend on your specific location. Not all plans are available everywhere, and not all plans offered by the insurance companies above include the SilverSneakers benefit. However, many of the plans provided by these companies do include that benefit.
You should visit the Medicare plan finder tool to find the available plans in your area. This tool lets you see all the available plans and quickly and easily compare them.
Some plans might also include other benefits, such as vision, dental, Medicare Flex card, and prescription drug coverage.
Contact a licensed insurance agent if you need help selecting the right plan. Your agent can help explain the details of the Medicare program, and they can also help you choose the right Medicare Part C or Medigap plan for your situation.
Sometimes, Original Medicare coverage might be the best option for you. In those situations, you might need to sign up for Original Medicare and purchase a separate fitness membership at a gym in your area.
TIP
There are nearly 15,000 SilverSnearkers locations nationwide. This can be a valuable resource for Medicare beneficiaries who want to improve their overall health and well-being.
Does Original Medicare Cover SilverSneakers?
The answer is no. Original Medicare does not provide coverage for the SilverSneakers program. You must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plan that includes this benefit.
Many Part C plans include SilverSneakers at no additional cost, although you should check your specific plan for coverage details.
You may also wonder if Medicaid covers the SilverSneakers program. The answer is no, in most cases.
A gym membership is not something that Medicaid must provide, and most states do not offer this benefit.
Since Medicaid coverage details vary between states, you should contact your state’s Medicaid office to determine whether a gym membership is covered in your state.
The Bottom Line
SilverSneakers is a fitness program that aims to improve the fitness level of seniors through fitness classes and gym memberships.
The program helps improve your fitness and overall well-being by allowing you to participate in these social fitness classes.
There are nearly 15,000 SilverSneakers locations across the country, and you can access classes, cardio equipment, fitness equipment, swimming pools, and other amenities at many of these locations.
Original Medicare does not include a SilverSneakers membership, so you must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap plan that provides this benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Medicare does not automatically include SilverSneakers. Original Medicare does not cover a SilverSneakers membership.
You must sign up for a Medicare Part C or Medigap plan with SilverSneakers coverage.
Many of these plans include SilverSneakers at no additional cost, but you should check your specific plan for details.
No, SilverSneakers is not an AARP benefit. Most AARP Medicare plans no longer include SilverSneakers.
In most cases, this benefit has been replaced by a Renew Active program. This new program is similar to SilverSneakers, but it usually gives you access to more local fitness centers instead of national chains.
No, there are no current plans to discontinue the SilverSneakers program. However, some Medicare plans that provided coverage for SilverSneakers no longer offer this benefit.
In some cases, the plans provide a new program called Renew Active, similar to the SilverSneakers program. Many plans still offer coverage for SilverSneakers, and the program does not appear to be going away.
There is no cost to join SilverSneakers if you are in a Medicare plan that provides this benefit.
However, there are costs associated with additional services beyond the scope of the program.
- For instance, if you decide to sign up for personal training at your gym, you would have to pay for that expense. In some cases, you might need to pay extra to access the swimming pool or other amenities at your fitness center.
You can find a Social Security Administration office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.
