Does Medicare Cover Silver Sneakers?

Silver Sneakers is an excellent program to help seniors in the U.S. stay fit and active.

Members of SilverSneakers get access to fitness classes, both online and in person. Plus there are over 17,000 fitness locations across the US that members can use.

Sounds great, though you’re probably wondering about the cost. And, along those lines, a common question many people have is, “Does Medicare cover Silver Sneakers?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of Silver Sneakers, as well as other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Silver Sneakers?

The short answer is it depends on your plan. Let’s take a closer look here so you can see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your SilverSneakers fees.

First thing to know is that Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for Silver Sneakers fees. That is because Original Medicare does not cover gym membership and other fees.

However, many Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) provide coverage for Silver Sneakers. In fact, many of the major providers offer SilverSneakers benefits. This includes Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP, United Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and more.

The SilverSneakers website has a search feature where you can find what plans offer coverage. If your doesn’t, the site will even help you find plans that do.

And the best news? If your Medicare Advantage plan includes a SilverSneakers program, you can sign up for Silver Sneakers for free!

Once you sign up, you will be given a membership card along with a membership ID number.

How Much Does Silver Sneakers Cost?

Members of Silver Sneakers have access to their benefits free of charge. It is included with your monthly premium for participating Advantage plans.

However, you will have to pay for fees that Silver Sneakers do not cover. Specific classes and services available will vary by the gym, which is why it is recommended that you first search for a participating gym that meets your fitness needs.

What Is SilverSneakers?

Silver Sneakers is a fitness program suited for those who are 65 years old and older. Members of SilverSneakers have access to thousands of gyms that participate in the program. You can look for nearby participating gyms using the search tool on their website.

Members of the fitness program may use the following:

Cardio equipment
Weights
Amenities including pools

Aside from that, SilverSneakers also provide exercise classes in gyms, including:

Cardio and strength classes
Tai chi
Boot camps
Yoga

To add to that, SilverSneakers does not only give lessons in gyms; they also provide lessons online through the online library of FLEX. Lessons on FLEX may include:

Cardio workouts
Healthy Diet
Strength Exercises
Fall Prevention Exercises

SilverSneakers also has FLEX classes which are sessions led by an instructor. Many lessons take place in community parks and recreation centers.

SilverSneakers’ programs have also boosted their clients’ social lives through their meetings and sessions. Not only does SilverSneakers improve their members’ physical health, but their mental health as well. It does this by reducing the risks of things like depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.