Medicare Supplements & Advantage Plans Including Silver Sneakers

Many of our clients ask about the free Silver Sneakers gym membership and how to qualify when shopping for supplemental insurance plans. It can save members a lot of money.

Some insurance companies offer this valuable benefit, but many do not. And availability will depend on where you live. We help our clients compare the Medicare insurance policies offering this perk while crunching the numbers to make sure they aren’t overpaying for their coverage.

What Is Silver Sneakers & Why Should I Be Interested?

Silver Sneakers is a gym and fitness membership organization for those age 65 and older. It partners with several health insurance plans in order to offer unlimited gym access to over 13,000 locations across the country. This program also offers free fitness classes (both in and out of the gym) to accommodate all levels of experience.

More than 60 health plans nationwide have partnered with Silver Sneakers to include this valuable benefit. Some of these include AARP Silver Sneakers (also known as United Healthcare), but they have discontinued this relationship in several states.

Many Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance plans include this benefit at no extra cost.

As a rule of thumb, more Medicare Advantage plans offer Silver Sneakers than do Medicare supplement policies. Membership availability will depend on the State where you live. It’s more common to see larger insurance Medicare supplement providers offering this benefit. Many smaller companies will not.

Popular insurance companies like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare (AARP), and Medical Mutual of Ohio offer this program in many states. This benefit does not cost extra. It is included as part of your overall monthly premiums.

Taking it a step further, Silver Sneakers is one of the very few benefits that Medicare supplement insurance companies are allowed to include at no additional cost. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, supplemental policies cannot (by rule) include many ancillary benefits. Gym memberships are one of the few free service available.

There are many, many Medicare Advantage plans affiliated with Silver Sneakers. Your options will depend on where you purchase your insurance. If you would like to see which insurance companies in your state include this plan, view the participating health plans here.

It’s not uncommon to see both large and small insurance companies include this popular benefit. Large carriers like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Coventry, Gateway, Humana, United Healthcare and WellCare (to name a few) participate in most states.

Which is Better – Medicare Advantage or Supplements?

It’s 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. It’s a good idea to discuss the differences with an independent agent before enrolling.

Too often Medicare insurance policies are purchased and stashed away. Whether you purchase a Supplement or Advantage plan, it’s important to know about extra benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to offer ancillary benefits like dental, vision and hearing. Conversely, Supplements, by rule, cannot usually offer as many added benefits.

How do I Get Silver Sneakers?

If you aren’t sure, just ask your agent while considering your options. Sometimes we cannot disclose all perks offered by an insurance company so as not to inadvertently steer clients one way or the other.

Of course, Silver Sneakers is one of the biggest perks and some of our clients will choose a carrier based on this benefit alone. It’s important to crunch the numbers, however. If you frequently use the gym and a membership will save you $60 a month, then it might be an easy decision. But if you don’t use the gym often you might benefit from a lower cost Medicare plan that does not offer this benefit. We can help compare your best options.

Here are a few FAQ’s that will help you:

What Insurance Plans Include Silver Sneakers?

The best way to find the participating plans is to check out the Silver Sneakers eligibility page and look there. The website will tell you exactly which health insurance plans cover it.

What’s the Silver Sneakers Minimum Age?

In order to qualify for this program, you have to be at least 65. Generally it is given in conjunction with the age for Medicare.

How do I Get My Membership Card?

You’ll receive a 16 digit code or card from your health insurance company. Once you have that, you can access any participating gym or center. You will also receive a card you can use at any participating gym or fitness location.

What Does it Include?

You get access to over 15,000 gyms across the nation. Not only can you get into the gym, you are able to take classes that promote a healthy lifestyle. Also, many gyms offer programs and social opportunities for their members. As a note that you don’t have to got a gym to take the classes. Many community centers and other places are available to you. And there are additional programs that allow you to save toward a family member’s college scholarship!

Hyers and Associates is an independent insurance agency specializing in Supplements, Advantage plans and Part D coverage. We help our clients compare and contrast all of their options. We’ll tell you which plans offer Silver Sneakers and discuss whether or not this value-added benefit puts one plan on top of another. Contact us today!