SilverSneakers is a wellness program designed for older adults that provides access to gyms, community exercise classes, and workout videos. It promotes healthy aging through physical activity and socialization, which can foster good mental and emotional health. The program is offered at no extra cost to eligible individuals. To be eligible, a person must have a Medicare plan that includes SilverSneakers among its benefits. Original Medicare Parts A and B do not cover SilverSneakers. Eligibility requires a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy that includes it. Some Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies also provide access. Special Needs Plans (SNPs) may also offer SilverSneakers. Eligibility depends on your Medicare coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers as a free benefit. To confirm eligibility, check plan documents or call the insurer.
The program offers access to local and national gyms, in-person fitness classes, and live and on-demand virtual workouts. Participating locations may offer group classes such as yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, and balance training. Some locations provide social activities, walking clubs, and health education programs. Amenities vary by location but may include pools, indoor tracks, tennis courts, or wellness coaching at no additional cost. Along with gym access, SilverSneakers also offers FLEX classes. If a Medicare plan offers SilverSneakers, the member will have access to the FLEX community program, which includes fitness classes led by instructors and held in local parks, community centers, and recreation centers. There are more than 80 classes to choose from, including dance, such as line dancing or Zumba; fitness boot camp; tai chi; barre; yoga; strength and balance; walking outdoors; stability; and chair aerobics. Available classes may vary by location. The FLEX community program also allows access to digital FLEX classes. These include online resources like videos with exercises to improve cardio endurance or build muscle, tips to eat healthier, and strategies to help prevent falls.
SilverSneakers also offers special programs for member-only retirement communities through its FLEX Community Program. This program provides SilverSneakers members access to fitness classes and activities at locations like parks, community centers, and even online, often held within or near retirement communities. The FLEX Community Program expands fitness options beyond traditional gym settings. It includes a wide variety of classes, such as yoga, tai chi, Zumba, and more. Many senior living communities participate in the FLEX program, offering SilverSneakers members access to classes within the community or nearby. This program is designed to be more accessible and engaging for older adults, as it provides fitness options at locations that may be more convenient and familiar to them. SilverSneakers also offers online classes through FLEX, allowing members to participate in workouts from the comfort of their own homes. It is important to note that not every retirement community will have SilverSneakers classes or be part of the FLEX program. Members should verify with their specific community or with SilverSneakers directly.
SilverSneakers members have access to any gym that participates in the program. Members can use their membership card to enroll at their gym of choice. After signing up, members receive a SilverSneakers membership card with a member ID number. If a plan covers the SilverSneakers program, a person can sign up for it on the SilverSneakers website. Members will then have access to all SilverSneakers benefits free of charge. For questions about SilverSneakers or the FLEX community program, call SilverSneakers Customer Service at 1-888-423-4632, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also visit silversneakers.com.
With a qualifying health insurance plan, a SilverSneakers membership is free. A 2019 review of the SilverSneakers program found that those participating in SilverSneakers for at least 2 years had lower healthcare costs, fewer inpatient hospital admissions, and higher savings for those who averaged 2 or more health club visits per week. Fitness programs can help improve overall health and may also lower healthcare costs. The SilverSneakers website offers a free search tool to help you find a location near you.
Not every insurer participates in SilverSneakers. Other programs such as Renew Active, Silver&Fit, or Golden Sneakers may be offered by certain insurers as an alternative. These programs also provide access to fitness centers, classes, and online resources for older adults. If a plan does not include any of these programs, check directly with local gyms and community centers—many offer senior discounts or special memberships.
While SilverSneakers is a prominent program, other wellness and discount programs are available through Medicare carriers. Most Medicare supplement plans offer access to a variety of wellness and discount programs based on the carrier.
Blue365 is a wellness program available to anyone with a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. It is not exclusive to Medicare. Blue365 is a discount program that provides users with access to in-person and virtual fitness classes at a discounted rate. It also provides discounts on additional services, including meal plans, athletic gear, vitamins, and more.
Mutual of Omaha supplement plan users have access to the Mutual Perks program.
When selecting a Medicare plan, it is important to consider several factors. Individuals should think about their health needs, as everyone has different health or medical services requirements for the coming year. Look at the coverage options and compare the coverage provided in different Medicare plans with health needs. Focus on plans that will meet these needs in the upcoming year. Costs can vary by the Medicare plan selected. When looking at plans, think about premiums, deductibles, and how much one would be able to pay out of pocket. If looking at a Part C or Part D plan, remember that what is covered varies by each individual plan. Use the official Medicare site to carefully compare different plans before deciding. Some plans require that one uses a healthcare provider in their network.
Glossary of Medicare terms includes Deductible, which is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before an insurer starts to fund their treatments; Coinsurance, which is a percentage of a treatment cost that a person will need to self-fund (for Medicare Part B, this is 20%); and Copayment, which is a fixed dollar amount an insured person pays when receiving certain treatments.
Popular plans offering SilverSneakers include various PPO and HMO plans. Examples of plans listed include Allina Health Aetna Medicare Signature (H3219-001-0), Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan, Anthem Prime (H4161-002-0), Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Aetna Medicare FIDE (H1610-001-0), Florida Blue, BlueMedicare Value (H5434-031-0), BlueMedicare Value (H5434-026-0), BlueMedicare Value (H5434-025-0), Freedom Health, Inc., Freedom VIP Savings (H5427-072-0), Wellcare By Allwell, Wellcare Dual Liberty (H5294-010-0), Wellcare Simple (H9630-002-0), and Wellcare Dual Liberty Sync (H5590-008-0).
Conclusion
SilverSneakers provides a comprehensive fitness benefit for eligible Medicare plan members, offering access to physical locations, community classes, and digital resources at no additional cost. Eligibility is restricted to those enrolled in specific Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans that include the program as a covered benefit. The FLEX Community Program expands these benefits to include classes in parks, community centers, and retirement communities, as well as online workouts. For those not eligible for SilverSneakers, alternative fitness programs such as Renew Active or Silver&Fit may be available through other insurers. Individuals should verify their specific plan coverage to determine eligibility for these wellness programs.