The SilverSneakers program provides gym memberships and fitness classes for people who are enrolled into Medicare. Silver Sneakers is not directly related to Medicare and provides you with additional benefits that can add to your Medicare insurance coverage. Silver Sneakers is only available to those that can receive Medicare — nobody else may use the program. It can be accessed through Medicare Advantage plans, as well as some supplement plans.
Is Silver Sneakers Covered by Medicare?
The simple answer is no, the SilverSneakers program is not covered by Medicare. Original Medicare consists of Part A and B of Medicare and covers hospital care and outpatient medical expenses. Silver Sneakers is an extra benefit that is offered by Medicare Advantage plans, as well as some supplement plans to add to Original Medicare benefits.
Am I Eligible for Silver Sneakers?
Eligibility for SilverSneakers is simple. If you are 65 or older, and are eligible for Medicare, then you qualify for Silver Sneakers The only way to actually use the program is by enrolling in a participating Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plan.
What Insurance Plans Include Silver Sneakers?
Different types of Medicare plans include the SilverSneakers gym membership which allows you to use fitness facilities nearby.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Usually, the SilverSneakers program will come with a Medicare Advantage plan. Often referred to as Part C of Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans offer a way to use your Medicare through a private insurance company. These plans will always cover hospital and outpatient care. In addition to the primary benefits, these plans usually offer additional perks, like vision, dental, and hearing aids, as well as extra perks like Silver Sneakers.
Because Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, there is more variety than with Original Medicare. The price and benefits of every Medicare Advantage plan can vary widely. You can simply check the Summary Of Benefits for the Advantage plan you are comparing to see if Silver Sneakers is included.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medigap Plans are offered by private insurance carriers. These plans cover fees that your Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like coinsurance payments and deductible expenses. These plans also include some medical services like blood work. They will sometimes offer extra perks and benefits as well.
Read More: What Medicare Supplement Plan To Choose?
What Does SilverSneakers Include?
If you are part of this program, then you will get unlimited access to all of the gyms that accept SilverSneakers membership for free. Also, some gyms may offer special fitness classes for people on Medicare, which you will be able to use with your membership card. Silver Sneakers also has a program, known as FLEX, which offers classes and events outside of the gym, such as swimming, hiking, and yoga.
If you are part of the plan, you can use it for any eligible services at any time that works for you. For example, you can use your membership for pool access if you don’t want to go to the gym. One great benefit of SilverSneakers is that many of the fitness classes are specifically for your health needs. Such as pool exercise classes which are easy on the joints! This program is one way to make sure that you will always find the help you need.
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If you are looking for a Medicare with Silver Sneakers or other gym benefits, call us at 800-208-4974 so we can review options with you.
How Much Does it Cost?
The SilverSneakers program is a free extra benefit for many Medicare Advantage plans and some Medicare Supplement plans (included in the plan premium). These plans all have different prices, but fitness benefits will never be offered for a fee. The price of these plans can vary a lot depending on your location and other factors, so it is useful to compare them locally.
You can think of the cost of SilverSneakers and similar plans in two specific ways, aside from the price of the plans. First, Silver Sneakers can save you money on the services you use: gym memberships, classes, and so on. Also, SilverSneakers and other programs can help to reduce future medical expenses by improving your health and fitness levels. This can result in lower healthcare costs.
Which Gyms Are Included?
There are over 14,000 gyms that accept the SilverSneakers program. Silversneakers.com, such as Snap Fitness, 24-hour fitness, Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness, and the YMCA.
The official website for Silver Sneakers can help you find a gym near you. Though many gyms participate in the Silver Sneakers program, you can find some parts of the country where it is less active. Make sure to compare your options before you sign up.
Changes in Coverage
Health insurance plans sometimes make changes to their coverage. Although the most common changes have to do with pricing and benefits, additional programs can also be affected. This means that it’s possible for your plan to drop the Silver Sneaker’s program entirely.
Agent Tip
Because benefits change, we don’t recommend buying a Medicare plan solely for the gym benefit instead we look closely at the medical coverage to ensure it fits the needs of our clients.
Alternatives to SilverSneakers
The SilverSneakers program is the most popular fitness program for folks on Medicare, but there are others as well. The two most popular programs aside from Silver Sneakers are Silver & Fit and Renew Active. Like Silver Sneakers, the availability of these programs will vary.
Silver & Fit offers a few unique benefits. In addition to gym memberships, Silver & Fit also provides you with the equipment and resources that you can use at home whenever it’s convenient for you. This can be especially useful for people who live farther away from a participating gym.
Renew Active is a program offered by some companies. It is available with select Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Advantage plans. Renew Active offers many of the same benefits as Silver Sneakers. You will gain full access to a gym, a one-on-one session with a personal trainer, as well as additional classes and events in your area.
Remember, although these programs are useful, it is usually better to review them as a whole. If one of these fitness plans sounds better to you than another, you should not let that be the basis of your choice for a Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, think of these benefits as extra perks that add on to your original coverage.
Interested In Finding a Plan With Gym Benefits?
Fitness programs like SilverSneakers Medicare can be a great way to improve your health. If you want to find a plan that offers this program, call us at 800-208-4974. We are independent of any insurance company, so we can help you look at your options to find a plan to fit your needs.
Related Article: Dental and Vision Benefits with Medicare
Alex Wender is the founder and CEO of Bluewave Insurance. He has been blogging about Medicare-related topics since 2010. Since then, he and his agency have helped thousands of people across the country choose the right Medicare to fit their needs.
