SilverSneakers: Free Health Club Membership For Medicare Seniors
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When I first heard about this program, I was skeptical. Free health club membership for seniors 65 years and older? It is true. SilverSneakers is a free fitness membership through Medicare if a Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental plan is purchased. Group retiree plans may also participate!
Most insurance providers participate in SilverSneakers and provide the wonderful benefit of free membership to a local health club. But Silversneakers is not just membership to a health club! Silversneakers is a comprehensive long term health program to help you navigate life over 65 with health and fitness in mind.
What Is The SilverSneakers Fitness Membership?
Silver Sneakers is a program which promotes health and fitness for older adults beginning at age 65. The program is offered through a partnership between Healthways and insurance providers with the emphasis on long term health and fitness.
SilverSneakers provides a free basic membership in a local participating health club. If you already belong privately to the health club, you may be able to park your current membership and belong to the health club with enrollment in the free Silver Sneakers program. Please note that each participating facility does have their own rules regarding membership and SilverSneakers.
Does Medicare Cover SilverSneakers?
Unfortunately SilverSneakers is not offered under Medicare Part A and Part B. The good news is that Silversneakers is available with the Medicare Advantage plan and Medigap plans. According to Healthways, over 65 major health insurance plans participate in the Silver Sneakers program at over 16,000 partner locations throughout the United States.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
AARP Medicare Supplemental(as of 2019)United Healthcare(as of 2020)- Aetna
- Wellcare
- Affinity
Use the convenient locator to check which health insurance companies in your state participate in SilverSneakers.
SilverSneakers Live Online Classes Updated 2022
Live online classes continued to be offered for your convenience! The variety of classes is impressive and each class is rated for beginner to advance levels so you will know in advance the type of class. How easy is that! Check the current schedule here.
SilverSneakers On Demand 2022
If the live online classes do not fit your schedule than access the huge variety of offerings at SilverSneakers On Demand Streaming. Workouts, nutrition classes, fitness tips, exercise programs are all available on demand with your SilverSneakers membership.
Which Clubs Offer SilverSneakers?
In my area LA Fitness has entered the health club arena which is a huge bonus as LA Fitness has many locations throughout the area. This makes the journey to fitness so much easier to find a close health club with easy parking.
Two other large chains which can offer SilverSneakers is Planet Fitness and Powerhouse Gym. Again this can depend upon the facility, in my area the Planet Fitness does not offer SilverSneakers, but Powerhouse does. The YMCA’s also participate which is always a great avenue for a comprehensive workout and/or exercise program.
I was impressed with the selection of health clubs available in my area including: Physical Therapy locations, Family YMCA’s, LA Fitness, municipal fitness facilities and Anytime Fitness. Visit the Healthways website to check if your health plan includes Silver Sneakers.
How Do I Sign Up For Medicare SilverSneakers?
It is very easy and very quick to begin the enrollment process. Locate your health insurance identification card, and navigate to the enrollment page.
The following information will be asked to gain entrance to the facilities in your area which provide SilverSneakers programs: First and Last Name, email address, Date Of Birth and Zip Code. If you qualify for SilverSneakers then find the preferred health club facility and contact the facility for information as to how to enroll with the SilverSneakers membership.
While the SilverSneakers program covers basic membership, there may also be the added perk of access to classes geared toward the older adult. Specialty classes such as Cardiofit, Yoga, Splash, Boom Muscle and Stability are a few of the niche classes for participating members in participating clubs.
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental SilverSneakers ?
Enjoy this perk for those 65 years of age and older! Maybe a fitness membership is already apart of the fitness plan; don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a fitness membership you may already pay for but could be obtained for free through a Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Insurance or a group retiree plan.
Each year the program offers an increased variety of classes and programs for the 65+ member. Most of the local fitness clubs in my urban area offer the SilverSneakers program. And do not forget the SilverSneakers app!
SilverSneakers Go App
The SilverSneakers GO App is available at the Apple App Store and for Android, the Google Play store.
The GO App is your personal fitness organizer, planner and helper. Record workouts with the intensity, length and goals. Schedule workouts or find close by SilverSneakers participating facilities and classes.
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I will check this out for my mom. As she will be turning 65 next year.
I did the same and was most of the fitness clubs in my area do participate – great savings for 65+!
I don’t know if anything like this is available in my area. Since I am rapidly approaching the ‘Silver Sneakers’ age maybe I should check!
Good question! Not sure if that type of benefit is available in UK? Worth looking into 🙂
I wish they had something like this where I live. I think it’s a great idea. My father-in-law joined a gym and he is doing lot better.
Many gyms in my area participate- it is a really nice program- the program expands each year hopefully to all areas of US 🙂
Does LA Fitness and LifeTime Fitness accept Silver Sneakers? I know 24 Hour and Fitness Comnection does because I am a member at both of these gyms.
LA does in my area, but it does vary by city. Here is the locator: https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch