What is SilverSneakers® and does Medicare cover it?
The SilverSneakers program provides health and fitness benefits for adults 65 and older. It includes live online fitness classes, on-demand videos, and access to thousands of gyms across the country.
Which Medicare plans cover SilverSneakers?
Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans include a SilverSneakers membership. First, you must be signed up for Original Medicare. Then you can select a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes SilverSneakers.
How much does SilverSneakers cost?
There is no cost to you if you have SilverSneakers included in your Medicare Advantage plan.
What is the eligibility for SilverSneakers?
If you’re 65 or older and have Original Medicare, you’re eligible for SilverSneakers. Just be sure you’re enrolled in a Part C Medicare Advantage plan that includes SilverSneakers benefits. Find out if you qualify.
How does SilverSneakers work?
Once you have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes SilverSneakers, you can go to the SilverSneakers website to sign up. When you register, you'll receive your own personalized ID card with your SilverSneakers number. Once you receive your ID card, you can attend fitness classes online or at one of the thousands of SilverSneakers locations nationwide.
How SilverSneakers benefits seniors on Medicare
SilverSneakers focuses on important areas of health and wellness for seniors.
Stamina
Stamina gives you the ability to exercise for a decent amount of time without your body becoming tired. Aerobic or cardio training boosts stamina as it increases your breathing and heart rate, helps maintain healthy weight levels, and improves mobility.
Strength
Strength training can help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes. And you don't have to bench press. For older adults, simple strength-building exercises such as chair squats, single-leg stands, wall pushups, and stair climbing help build and tone muscle.
Flexibility
Flexibility exercises help improve and extend your movements, and better yet, they warm up your muscles and make you less prone to injury. Workout sessions with gentle stretches can also help ease those pesky neck cricks, backaches, and other muscle soreness.
Balance
Balance exercises give you more mobility and physical control, which helps you avoid falls as you become older. You may find yourself feeling nimbler with every session.
SilverSneakers and the FLEX program
If you're enrolled in SilverSneakers, you also have access to FLEX workout classes for older adults. FLEX goes beyond weights and treadmills. It includes more than 70 types of classes, such as yoga, tai chi, Zumba®, and more. FLEX classes also feature professional instructors who understand what it takes to stay fit after 65.
Take advantage of SilverSneakers programs
SilverSneakers offers a wide variety of fitness benefits and programs to fit many different needs. In addition to physical benefits, exercise for older adults has been proven to have mental health benefits, too. It can even lower your healthcare costs.
