Does Anthem Medicare Cover SilverSneakers?
- Many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans cover SilverSneakers as an extra benefit. Learn more about this fitness benefit and how you can compare Anthem Medicare plans to find the right mix of costs and benefits for your needs.
Anthem and the Anthem family of brands (such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield) offer Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans in areas across the country. These plans support additional benefits such as anthem dental and vision coverage. And one of the main attractions of many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans is the extra benefit a SilverSneakers membership.
What Benefits Does SilverSneakers Cover?
SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed specifically for older adults. There are over 15,000 gyms and fitness centers throughout the U.S. that partner with SilverSneakers.
As a SilverSneakers member, you will have access to the same amenities as someone with a basic membership at any participating gym. SilverSneakers members are free to exercise on their own, but also have the opportunity to participate in a range of classes and groups that are tailored to seniors. These can include things like cardio and strength training, balance and flexibility, yoga, Tai Chi, walking or running clubs, team sports and more.
There are also classes about nutrition, mindfulness, meditation and stress management. Classes are taught by instructors who are trained and certified to work with those ages 65 and over.
Members who do not live near a participating SilverSneakers facility have the option of exercising from home using a SilverSneakers home workout kit, fitness tracker, live online workout classes and a library of archived on-demand workout videos.
Where Does Anthem Sell Medicare Advantage Plans with SilverSneakers?
Anthem and its subsidiary Medicare plan providers offer plans in a number of different states.
If you live an area where Anthem or one of the Anthem family brands provide Medicare plans, you may be able to enroll in an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan that includes a SilverSneakers membership. If Anthem does not sell Medicare Advantage plans where you live or the available plan does not include SilverSneakers, you may be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan offered by a different carrier that includes SilverSneakers.
Remember, you may only enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that is sold in the area in which you live. You must also be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to enroll in Medicare Advantage.
Once enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with SilverSneakers, you must then register on the SilverSneakers website to receive an ID card and membership number.
Are There Other Programs Similar to SilverSneakers?
SilverSneakers may be the most well-known program of its kind, but is not the only one available. Silver&Fit is a similar program included in some carriers’ Medicare plans. And other carriers have developed their very own fitness program such as Mutual of Omaha’s “Mutually Well” benefit.
How Can I Enroll in SilverSneakers Through Anthem?
The easiest way to obtain a SilverSneakers membership through Anthem is to work with an insurance agent who is licensed to sell Medicare Advantage plans on behalf of Anthem.
If there are no Anthem plans available in your area that include SilverSneakers, and if the agent is licensed to sell plans on behalf of additional insurance carriers, the agent may be able to find a plan provided by a different company that includes SilverSneakers as a benefit.
Who Covers SilverSneakers?
