1 Freed M, et al. (Nov. 15, 2023). Medicare Advantage 2024 Spotlight: First Look. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2024-spotlight-first-look.
Resources
What Is the SilverSneakers Fitness Program?
- January 12, 2024
- Reviewed by John Krahnert
SilverSneakers is a fitness program designed for adults aged 65 and over. While Original Medicare doesn’t cover fitness programs, Medicare Advantage plans can offer fitness benefits. Plans with fitness benefits might not be available where you live, so be sure to compare your local plan options to learn more.
SilverSneakers is a fitness program for older adults that is offered in conjunction with over 15,000 gyms and fitness centers all over the U.S.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover fitness memberships like SilverSneakers. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans can offer more benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as fitness benefits like membership to the SilverSneakers program or similar health programs.
Keep in mind, however, that Medicare Advantage plans that include these benefits may not be available where you live.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 98% of Medicare Advantage plans include fitness benefits as part of their coverage in 2024.1
Request a free plan quote online or call to speak with a licensed insurance agent to find out if plans where you live cover fitness benefits such as SilverSneakers membership. We represent carriers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare®, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Wellcare, or Kaiser Permanente.
What does the SilverSneakers program include?
A SilverSneakers membership includes free access to thousands of participating fitness centers. SilverSneakers members also gain access to some fitness classes and instruction, some of which you can access from home.
As mentioned above, it’s important to remember that SilverSneakers is not sponsored by or endorsed by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans that offer SilverSneakers or similar fitness benefits may not be available where you live. You can find out what fitness benefits – if any – are offered by Medicare Advantage plans in your area by visiting Medicare.gov, the official government website of the Medicare program.
Some of the fitness classes that are offered in person or online as part of the SilverSneakers program include but aren’t limited to:
- Classic
Designed to increase muscle strength and improve range of motion for everyday activities - Circuit
Low-impact circuit training that provides an all-around workout - Zumba Gold
Easy-paced Zumba instruction aiming to improve balance, range of motion and coordination - Cardio Mix
Low-impact aerobics focusing on upper body and core strength plus cardio endurance - Yoga
Can help increase flexibility, balance and range of motion while promoting stress reduction and mental clarity - SilverSneakers Enerchi
Modified tai chi for slow, flowing exercises to improve balance and focus - Stability
Focuses on building strength around the ankles, knees and hips while improving reaction time
SilverSneakers can help you stay healthy and fit as you age and provides an opportunity to meet and socialize with other like-minded seniors.
Learn More About Medicare
Join our email series to receive your free Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
By clicking "Sign me up!” you are agreeing to receive emails from MedicareAdvantage.com.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Advantage plans can cover fitness benefits like SilverSneakers, but these types of plans might not be offered in your area. Compare Medicare Advantage plans online or call to speak with a Medicare licensed insurance agent who can help you find out if plans in your area cover fitness benefits.
About the author
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Christian has written hundreds of articles for MedicareAvantage.com that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.
Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.
A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@tzhealthmedia.com.
