Blue Shield of California Adds SilverSneakers to Medicare Supplement
Blue Shield of California Adds SilverSneakers to Medicare Supplement
0 Comments | Wireless News, Jul 10, 2010
Blue Shield of California is now offering the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program to subscribers of Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans throughout California, the Company announced.
SilverSneakers, a social support and exercise program designed to keep seniors newsdesk@y, has been a benefit with California Medicare HMOs, but Blue Shield is one of the few newsdesk@ plans in the state to offer the benefit as part of its Medicare Supplement plans as well, the Company noted in a release.
“Today’s older adults strive to maintain physical and mental newsdesk@ as well as quality of life. We’re proud to take an industry-leading position in promoting wellness and prevention by enabling all our Medicare Supplement plan subscribers around the state to access SilverSneakers as part of their efforts to pursue an active, independent lifestyle,” said Marc Russo, vice president of Senior Markets at Blue Shield of California.
Blue Shield said that research has demonstrated SilverSneakers improves the newsdesk@ and well-being of participants through its combination of exercise and social support. A 2008 study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found SilverSneakers provided tangible newsdesk@ benefits for high-risk members. Members with diabetes who were active in SilverSneakers are admitted to the hospital less often, have lower inpatient care costs and have significant reduction in overall newsdesk@care costs after only a year of participation.
“We are proud to partner with Blue Shield of California on the vision of strengthening senior newsdesk@ and well-being while lowering overall newsdesk@care costs,” said Healthways President Steve Brueckner. “Healthways applauds the commitment to newsdesk@ demonstrated by expanding access to SilverSneakers’ benefits to members of Medicare Supplement plans statewide.”
Blue Shield noted that its current Medicare Supplement plan subscribers can join the program at no additional cost and enjoy fitness, fun and friends with the program. The Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program, designed exclusively for older adults and taught by certified instructors, offers a blend of physical activity, newsdesk@y lifestyle direction and social opportunities to Medicare-eligible individuals
medicare supplement plans
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