Anthem offering Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness to members of its currently marketed Medicare Supplement Basic Plans in Wisconsin
Anthem offering Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness to members of its currently marketed Medicare Supplement Basic Plans in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE – January 20, 2015 – All existing and new members of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s currently sold Medicare Supplement Basic Plans in Wisconsin are now able to exercise at participating Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness locations.
SilverSneakers offers fitness programs geared toward older adults, including strength training as well as aerobic and flexibility exercises. Medicare Supplement members in Anthem’s Basic Plans in Wisconsin will have full access to these programs at no extra cost.
Exercise is important for the well-being of everybody, but particularly seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exercise can prevent many health problems associated with aging. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week for people ages 65 and older who are generally fit.* However, participants should always consult a health care professional before beginning an exercise program.
“SilverSneakers is a great way to get started or continue with an exercise program because it groups you with your peers and it provides you with age appropriate exercises,” said Larry Schreiber, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. “We are pleased to be able to offer it to Medicare Supplement members in our currently marketed plans in Wisconsin and we encourage them to take advantage of it.”
The SilverSneakers Fitness program was founded in 1992 and serves more than 12 million eligible members. The SilverSneakers fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 12,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. For those who can’t get to a fitness center, SilverSneakers offers at-home materials that encourage general fitness, walking, strength training or yoga.
“Studies show that regular physical activity can be beneficial in preventing and reducing the risk of certain chronic conditions, may relieve symptoms of depression, help to maintain independent living and enhance overall quality of life,” said Joy Powell, president of Healthways Senior Solution Division. “Plans like Anthem that offer SilverSneakers have made a clear commitment to their member’s overall well-being.”
Medicare Supplement plans are sold by private companies to help pay health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. These plans may include additional services like SilverSneakers. Interested parties can learn more about Anthem’s Medicare Supplement offerings by visiting www.anthem.com/shop. For details about SilverSneakers, visitwww.silversneakers.com.
SilverSneakers is a value-added benefit that can be changed or withdrawn at any time. The SilverSneakers Fitness program is provided by Healthways, Inc., an independent company.
About Healthways
Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 68 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.silversneakers.com or www.healthways.com.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin (Anthem)
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), which underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), which underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively, which underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.
* http://www.cdc.gov/
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