Understanding the Changes: Why Insurance Carriers Are Shifting
While the SilverSneakers program is still active and robustly supported by its parent company, Tivity Health, the confusion surrounding its status stems from decisions made by major health insurance carriers. In recent years, some insurers have opted to replace SilverSneakers with their own proprietary fitness and wellness programs. This trend is driven by several factors, including cost control, the desire for greater control over benefit offerings, and a strategy to reach a broader segment of their membership beyond just gym-goers. For example, in 2018, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced it would drop SilverSneakers for many of its Medicare Advantage and Medigap members.
This led to a wave of similar transitions by other health plans, causing confusion and frustration for many seniors who relied on the program. However, the landscape is not static. The fitness benefit market remains competitive, and some insurers are bringing SilverSneakers back. Highmark, for instance, transitioned its members back to SilverSneakers for their 2025 plan year. This demonstrates that while the program's availability has shifted, it is far from being phased out entirely.
The Rise of Alternatives: Renew Active and Other Programs
The most prominent replacement for SilverSneakers is Renew Active, developed by UnitedHealthcare. Renew Active provides many of the same benefits but within UnitedHealthcare's own managed network. Other insurers have also created their own alternatives. Understanding the differences is crucial for anyone choosing or reviewing a Medicare plan.
Renew Active vs. SilverSneakers
| Feature | SilverSneakers | Renew Active (UnitedHealthcare) |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Access to a vast network of over 17,000 participating fitness locations nationwide, including major gym chains and local community centers. | Access to a network of participating gyms and fitness locations managed by UnitedHealthcare. |
| Classes | Includes a wide variety of group fitness classes designed for seniors, both in-person and online via SilverSneakers LIVE and On-Demand. | Offers a variety of online and in-gym classes, potentially including brain-training programs through Fitbit Premium. |
| Online Tools | Provides the SilverSneakers GO mobile app, SilverSneakers On-Demand videos, and virtual classes through Burnalong. | Often includes access to Fitbit Premium with thousands of videos and other digital resources. |
| Community | Fosters a strong community with in-person group classes and social engagement opportunities. | Provides online communities and wellness coaching through their internal platform. |
| Cost | Typically no additional cost with qualifying Medicare plans. | No additional cost with qualifying UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. |
Navigating Your Options: What to Do Next
If you're wondering if you still have access to SilverSneakers, the first and most important step is to check your specific health plan. You can use the eligibility checker tool on the SilverSneakers website or call your insurance carrier directly. The program's availability can change yearly, so it's a good practice to verify your benefits during the annual enrollment period.
Here are some key actions to take:
- Review Your Plan's Summary: Look at the documentation from your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan to see what fitness benefits are covered. The summary of benefits should clearly list any included programs.
- Use Online Tools: Visit the SilverSneakers website's eligibility tool to confirm if your specific plan is participating.
- Contact Your Provider: Call the member services number on your insurance card to ask directly about your fitness coverage. This is especially important if you have heard of recent changes.
- Compare Alternatives: If your plan no longer offers SilverSneakers, research the replacement program. Check what gyms and classes are available through the new benefit. You may find that the alternative meets your needs just as well, if not better, and could include additional features like online brain training or wellness coaching.
- Consider a Plan Switch: If SilverSneakers is a priority for you, and your current plan no longer offers it, you may need to switch to a different insurance plan during the enrollment period that includes the program. Health insurers such as Aetna and Humana continue to offer SilverSneakers with many of their Medicare Advantage plans.
The Longevity of SilverSneakers
Despite the shifting landscape with some insurers, SilverSneakers' parent company, Tivity Health, remains committed to the program's future. They are celebrating over 30 years in the business and are more focused than ever on expanding their offerings to meet the needs of seniors. The program has a proven track record of positively impacting seniors' health, including lower healthcare costs and fewer hospital admissions for consistent users.
The ongoing market competition benefits consumers, as insurers must provide compelling benefits to attract and retain members. While the temporary exits of some carriers caused alarm, the reality is that the SilverSneakers brand is strong, and many health plans continue to see its value. The program has evolved to include extensive online options, catering to those who prefer working out at home, making it adaptable to changing member needs and lifestyles. Therefore, rather than being phased out, SilverSneakers is part of a dynamic, competitive market where it must continually prove its value alongside its rivals.
Conclusion
The short answer to the question "Are silver sneakers being phased out?" is no, but the long answer requires understanding the complex shifts within the health insurance market. While prominent carriers like UnitedHealthcare and AARP plans have moved to their own programs, many other insurers, including Aetna and Humana, continue to offer SilverSneakers. The key takeaway for members is that they must check their specific plan's coverage, as eligibility is not universal. The program remains a popular and valuable benefit for many seniors, and its core offerings continue to be available to those with participating plans. The rise of alternatives like Renew Active simply means seniors now have more options to choose from, requiring more careful research to find the best fit for their fitness and wellness goals.
Lists
- Participating Insurers (Examples): Aetna, Humana, CarePlus, and certain Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are known to offer SilverSneakers as of recent years, though members must always verify their specific plan.
- Major Program Alternatives: Key alternatives to SilverSneakers include UnitedHealthcare's Renew Active and Independence Blue Cross's One Pass.
- Fitness Offerings: The program extends beyond gym access to include online workout videos (SilverSneakers On-Demand), live virtual classes (SilverSneakers LIVE), and local community classes (FLEX).
- Ways to Verify Your Eligibility: You can check online via the SilverSneakers website, call the phone number on your insurance card, or visit the member portal of your health plan.
- Common Reasons for Change: Insurer decisions to drop SilverSneakers are often motivated by cost management, aiming to serve a wider range of members beyond frequent gym visitors, and consolidating benefits under their own branding.
FAQs
Q: Has the SilverSneakers program been completely discontinued? A: No, the SilverSneakers program has not been discontinued. The program is still active and widely offered, but its availability depends on the specific health insurance plan you have.
Q: Why did UnitedHealthcare replace SilverSneakers with Renew Active? A: UnitedHealthcare replaced SilverSneakers to offer its own wellness program, Renew Active, which includes fitness and brain-training components. A UHC representative stated this was to provide a wider variety of resources and reach a broader portion of their membership.
Q: What is Renew Active and how is it different from SilverSneakers? A: Renew Active is UnitedHealthcare's proprietary fitness program and is a direct alternative to SilverSneakers. The core difference is that Renew Active is only available to qualifying UnitedHealthcare members and offers a network of facilities and benefits managed by the insurer.
Q: Do AARP-endorsed plans still offer SilverSneakers? A: No, AARP-endorsed UnitedHealthcare plans do not offer SilverSneakers. They transitioned to the Renew Active program as of January 1, 2023.
Q: How can I find out if my insurance plan includes SilverSneakers? A: The most reliable way to check is by using the eligibility tool on the SilverSneakers website, visiting your health plan's member portal, or calling your insurer's member services number.
Q: Can I access SilverSneakers classes if I prefer working out at home? A: Yes. SilverSneakers offers an extensive library of online content, including on-demand videos and live virtual classes through SilverSneakers LIVE and Burnalong, which are available to members at no additional cost.
Q: What should I do if my insurance plan dropped SilverSneakers? A: If your plan no longer offers SilverSneakers, you should first evaluate the alternative program provided by your insurer. If the new benefit doesn't meet your needs, you can research and potentially switch to a different Medicare plan during the annual enrollment period that includes SilverSneakers.
