Does AARP Cover Silver Sneakers for Seniors? The Shift to Renew Active Explained

As of 2019, AARP-endorsed Medicare plans, which are insured by UnitedHealthcare, replaced the Silver Sneakers program with a new fitness benefit called Renew Active. For many seniors searching, "Does AARP cover silver sneakers for seniors?", this change means they now have access to a different, exclusive wellness program for their fitness needs.

Quick Summary

AARP's endorsed Medicare plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare, no longer cover Silver Sneakers, having replaced it with the Renew Active program, which provides similar fitness benefits.

Key Points

• No Silver Sneakers Coverage: AARP-endorsed Medicare plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare, no longer cover the Silver Sneakers program.

• Renew Active Replaces Silver Sneakers: Since 2019, AARP's partner, UnitedHealthcare, has offered its own fitness program, Renew Active, to plan holders.

• Comprehensive Wellness Benefits: Renew Active provides free gym memberships, access to online classes, and incorporates cognitive health exercises from AARP Staying Sharp®.

• Coverage Depends on Your Plan: Silver Sneakers is still available with many Medicare plans from other insurers like Humana and Aetna, so eligibility is based on your specific provider.

• Check Your Plan Details: It is essential for seniors to verify which fitness program, if any, is included with their Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan by contacting their insurer or checking online.

• Both Programs Offer Great Options: While different, both Renew Active and Silver Sneakers provide valuable resources for seniors to maintain physical and mental wellness.

AARP's Shift in Fitness Coverage

For many years, the Silver Sneakers program was a popular benefit included with numerous Medicare plans, including some offered through the AARP/UnitedHealthcare partnership. Silver Sneakers is a well-known health and fitness program designed for adults aged 65 and older, providing access to participating gyms and various group exercise classes.

However, in 2019, UnitedHealthcare announced it would be discontinuing its partnership with Silver Sneakers, a change that applied to all its products, including the plans endorsed by AARP. This decision led many seniors to question their coverage, especially those who had chosen a plan specifically for the Silver Sneakers benefit. AARP does not act as an insurance company itself but rather endorses UnitedHealthcare plans, so the change came from the insurance carrier.

The Rise of Renew Active

Following the termination of the Silver Sneakers partnership, UnitedHealthcare introduced its own proprietary fitness program, Renew Active, as the new wellness benefit for its members. This program became the standard offering for eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan holders. Renew Active was designed to be a comprehensive wellness program, going beyond physical fitness to include aspects of cognitive health.

Renew Active offers a wide array of benefits aimed at helping seniors stay healthy and active. These benefits include:

• Gym and Fitness Center Access: Access to a large network of gyms and fitness locations at no additional cost, including cardio and strength equipment, pools, and walking tracks.
• Personalized Fitness Plans: Online resources to create a customized fitness plan tailored to individual health goals.
• Online and Live Classes: A vast library of thousands of on-demand workout videos and live-streaming classes, enabling exercise from the comfort of home.
• Social and Wellness Activities: Opportunities for social engagement through local health and wellness events, classes, and social clubs.
• Brain Health Resources: Unique to Renew Active is its partnership with AARP Staying Sharp®, an online program that offers brain health exercises, cognitive assessments, and interactive tools to support mental acuity.

Renew Active vs. Silver Sneakers: A Comparison

While both Renew Active and Silver Sneakers are popular fitness programs for seniors, they have key differences, especially in who provides and covers them. This comparison table highlights the main distinctions:

Feature	Renew Active (with AARP/UnitedHealthcare)	Silver Sneakers (with other plans)
Provider	UnitedHealthcare (endorsed by AARP)	Tivity Health (offered through multiple insurers like Humana, Aetna, etc.)
Network	Extensive network of participating gyms and fitness locations, exclusive to UHC members.	Access to over 15,000 gyms and wellness centers nationwide.
Online Access	Thousands of on-demand workout videos and live classes through RenewActive.com.	Live online fitness classes and an on-demand video library via SilverSneakers LIVE and SilverSneakers On-Demand.
Unique Benefits	Includes the AARP Staying Sharp® brain health program.	Offers FLEX community classes held in local parks and community centers.
Availability	Included with eligible AARP Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans from UnitedHealthcare.	Offered with many different Medicare Advantage and some Medigap plans, but not UnitedHealthcare's.
Who is Eligible?	Seniors with a qualifying AARP Medicare plan from UnitedHealthcare.	Seniors with a qualifying Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan from a participating insurer.

How to Determine Your Fitness Benefits

Because coverage depends entirely on your specific insurance plan, the best way to determine your fitness benefits is to check your plan details. If you have an AARP Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan from UnitedHealthcare, your benefit is Renew Active. You can confirm this by visiting the official Renew Active website and using your plan information to verify your eligibility.

Alternatively, if you are shopping for a new Medicare plan and want Silver Sneakers, you must explicitly look for a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan from an insurance provider that still offers it. Providers like Humana, Aetna, and others are known to include Silver Sneakers with some of their plans. A senior fitness program can be a significant factor in selecting a plan, so it is always wise to compare benefits carefully during the open enrollment period.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Fitness Path

In summary, the answer to "Does AARP cover silver sneakers for seniors?" is no, as their partner, UnitedHealthcare, switched to its own Renew Active program in 2019. While this may have disappointed some longtime Silver Sneakers participants, the Renew Active program offers comparable—and in some ways, unique—benefits, such as its focus on cognitive health with AARP Staying Sharp. The key for any senior is to verify the specific fitness benefit included with their Medicare plan and ensure it aligns with their health and wellness goals. Both Renew Active and Silver Sneakers represent excellent opportunities for older adults to stay active, social, and healthy, depending on their insurance provider.

For more information on the Renew Active program, visit the official site at uhcrenewactive.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did AARP ever cover the Silver Sneakers program for seniors?

Yes, AARP-endorsed Medicare plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare, previously included Silver Sneakers. However, this coverage was discontinued in 2019 when UnitedHealthcare replaced it with its own program.

What program did AARP replace Silver Sneakers with?

AARP-endorsed plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare, replaced Silver Sneakers with their exclusive fitness program called Renew Active.

What benefits does Renew Active offer to seniors?

Renew Active provides eligible members with access to a wide network of gyms, thousands of on-demand workout videos, live streaming fitness classes, and specialized brain health exercises through the AARP Staying Sharp® program.

Can I still get Silver Sneakers with a different Medicare plan?

Yes, many Medicare Advantage and some Medigap plans from other insurance providers, such as Humana, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, still offer Silver Sneakers as a benefit.

How can I check if my plan covers Renew Active or Silver Sneakers?

To check your coverage, you should contact your health insurance provider directly. You can also use the online eligibility checkers on the Renew Active and Silver Sneakers websites.

Do I need to be an AARP member to get Renew Active?

Renew Active is a benefit of certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. To enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement plan, you must be an AARP member, but eligibility for Renew Active is tied to your specific plan.

Is Renew Active a good replacement for Silver Sneakers?

Renew Active is a comprehensive program that offers benefits similar to Silver Sneakers, including gym access and online classes, plus the unique addition of cognitive health resources. Many seniors find it to be an excellent alternative, but the best program depends on individual needs.