What Is SilverSneakers?

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Lorraine Roberte
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Lorraine Roberte is an insurance writer for Investopedia. As a personal finance writer, her expertise includes money management and insurance-related topics. She has written hundreds of reviews of insurance products.
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Updated February 28, 2024
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Bobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
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Fact checked by Bobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
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Bobby L. Hickman is a longtime business and financial journalist who brings decades of experience in insurance and financial services to his editor role at Investopedia. He has worked with insurance and financial services companies, such as AFLAC, Allstate, Confederation Life, Farm Bureau, SunLife, and others. His editorial clients include the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Advisors magazine.
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What Is SilverSneakers?

SilverSneakers is a well-established fitness program for members of some of the nation’s largest Medicare insurance plans. You can’t sign up for SilverSneakers unless you’re part of one of those participating health plans, but it’s free for eligible members. For staying fit—in person or online—SilverSneakers offers great options for Medicare members.

Key Takeaways

  • SilverSneakers is a fitness program designed for people ages 65 and over.
  • It partners with the nation’s leading Medicare Advantage and some Medicare Supplement plans.
  • The program offers online and in-person fitness classes as well as a fitness app.
  • In-person fitness classes may not be available in all locations.

How SilverSneakers Works 

Here’s what to know about SilverSneakers if you’re interested in enrolling.

Eligibility

The main requirement to join SilverSneakers is that you are a member of a Part C Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan that includes this program as one of your health plan benefits. 

Tip

If you’re unsure whether your plan qualifies, SilverSneakers has a directory where you can search participating health plans and an online instant eligibility checker.  

How to Enroll

If you’re eligible, all you have to do is create your account and download your SilverSneakers member ID. You can also download the app to access your digital copy easily. 

Costs

SilverSneakers is free if your insurer offers membership as part of your Medicare insurance plan benefits.

Which Medicare Plans Cover SilverSneakers?

Only certain Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans offer SilverSneakers as a member benefit. For it to apply, it has to be listed as a benefit for your specific health plan. Medicare Advantage plans are more likely to include SilverSneakers than Medigap plans.

Coverage differs by state and plan. These providers include SilverSneakers in some states:

  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Humana
  • Wellcare

There are many others. To find out if your specific plan covers it, contact your plan provider by calling the customer service number on your insurance card. Or to find plans that include the program, check the SilverSneakers list of participating plans, which gives a state-by-state breakdown of plans.

Note

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not provide SilverSneakers or any other gym or fitness program as a free or discounted benefit. 

Benefits of SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers' core features include: 

  • Free fitness benefits for members of participating Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance plans: SilverSneakers is free to consumers. Participating Medicare health insurers pay the fees for their policyholders to access the benefits.
  • Partners with more than 15,000 gyms and other facilities nationwide: SilverSneakers has a large network of gyms and other community settings where members can access fitness facilities and classes.
  • On-demand and live online classes: Not everyone can safely get to the gym for in-person fitness classes, so SilverSneakers offers on-demand and live fitness classes online—a great alternative that lets members stay fit from home.
  • Local workouts beyond the gym: For those who can’t or don’t want to work out in a gym, free local in-person classes are offered at various indoor and outdoor spaces, There are also online classes taught by certified local instructors. 
  • Provides SilverSneakers GO app: You can use the app to show your digital membership card or do free workouts wherever you are. 

The FLEX Community Program 

SilverSneakers’ FLEX fitness classes take place at locations that may be more convenient or inviting for older adults than a typical gym, such as senior-living communities, parks, pools, community centers, or even at your house through online classes. Classes are taught by certified instructors and are free for members and a small fee for the general public.

There are currently more than 70 approved types of FLEX classes, including:

  • Yoga
  • Tai chi
  • Qigong
  • Boot camps
  • Latin and other dance styles
  • Strength and balance
  • Stretching
  • Circuit training
  • Walking groups
  • Chair aerobics 

You can see what’s happening around you by checking out SilverSneakers’ local community classes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is an alternative way to get Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) coverage. It’s offered by private insurance companies that work with Medicare. The plans mainly provide the same coverages as Original Medicare and usually come with additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and gym memberships.  

Does Medicare Plan G Have SilverSneakers?

Medicare Plan G may have SilverSneakers if your specific insurance plan includes this benefit. That’s because Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance plans, including Plan G, are sold by private insurance companies. These companies decide whether to offer SilverSneakers as a benefit to members enrolled in certain Medigap plans. 

What Is the Difference Between SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit?

Both are wellness programs that may be provided by Medicare plans. SilverSneakers is the more popular program, with a  greater number of members and more well-known insurance providers offering it as a benefit. Silver&Fit pairs members up with a certified health coach to work on their fitness and nutrition goals. But beyond that, the differentiating factor may be which one is provided by your health plan or has a partner gym near you.

How Do I Find a Gym that Participates in SilverSneakers Near Me?

You can use the SilverSneaker’s location search to find participating gyms near you.

Can I Join SilverSneakers If My Health Insurance Plan Doesn’t Provide It?

No, SilverSneakers doesn’t offer any paid plans you can buy on your own. It only has free memberships for participating Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plan members.

The Bottom Line 

SilverSneakers is a high-quality, free fitness program for older adults looking to stay active and maintain their health. It has a large network of participating gyms, numerous indoor and outdoor activities, and an extensive catalog of on-demand online classes. The catch is that you must have a participating Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan to join. If you aren’t eligible via your health plan, you’ll have to look elsewhere, because SilverSneakers doesn’t offer paid plans. 

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

  1. SilverSneakers. “Take Online Classes From Home or Visit Us at the Gym.”

  2. SilverSneakers. “Make an Impact.”

  3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans."