Silver Sneakers being droped by AARP recommended insurer

[nu8579]

1. Never heard of this "Fit50". The letter I received from AARP/UHC calls their New and Improved plan "HealthYourWay.com" It offers 50% off membership at "participating" health clubs including YMCA's. However, there are apparently NO global agreements with club networks. AARP wants US to go out and sell their program to individual clubs. My local Y never heard of it and said, effectively, pay uo or you are out.

2. I had checked the Silver Sneakers link of eligible health plans and - there is a HUGE catch (Surprise!). For Blue Cross, only their Advantage plans are eligible. NOT the Medigap plans. The eligible Medigap plans of other insurers were WAY more expensive than even AARP/UHC.

3. YMCA appears to be dropping Silver Sneakers entirely. I suspect it was AARP/UHC that was the major supporter of it, and financial backer.

4. It has been nearly impossible to get reliable, accurate information about what is going on anywhere, from anyone. People either don't know what they are talking about or are being devious.

5. Situations in your particular geographic area may be different. Medicare supplemental plans are all different, depending on the state. Health clubs may be the same way. YMCA's are organized into regions which appear to be autonomous is setting policy. Those in my metro region do not appear to have any senior discounts. You will need to research your own situation. And do NOT rely on what just one person tells you. Multiple sources and get it in clear writing.

[Chidad53]

Okay, this is all very wierd. I belong to LA Ftiness in Chicago, and there were signs saying that SS was being cancelled, due to change with UHC/AARP. I watched a line of people being told this. An email to AARP brought forth a response: cannnot answere with the information you provided. Then a search on the AARP website said somthing about Fit50? Anyone had the chance to check this out as an option?

Some tooling about on the net brought this: https://tools.silversneakers.com/Eligibility/HealthPlans?state=IL

This NPR article seems to give the most information: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/04/673249571/unitedhealthcare-customers-are-unhapp...

Hope this helps!

[goliath]

Read some of the back posts for lots of information. Many of the Medigap policies provide SS and with those policies you can see any doc that accepts medicare. In my opinion, if you can afford them, they are much easier to use and there are no surprises about what you'll be paying/ or denials if you need medical care.

[jarcrey]

To date I have refused to stop my original Medicare plan with a gap policy and move to a Medicare Advantage plan.  I want to be able to use any physician or health professional system anywhere in the USA.  I had a medical condition that needed surgery and was so rare that I could only go to another state and pay out of pocket. But after 10 years of suffering, a local surgeon took cutting-edge-training and I was able to get that needed surgery. It took only 20 minutes and normal healing time...I now live a normal pain free life.  So in answer to your situation, I do feel sorry that you have lost your wide access to your physicians of choice now and in future unless you move back to the original Medicare insurance.  It is a shame that Silver Sneakers is being cut out of insurance policies.  My experience with Silver Sneakers is that the fitness and health company is excellent in reputation, services, website, newsletter, videos, and has wide varity of health information for seniors.  

[tpierce2135]

In 2017 I had Original Medicare, plus Mutual of Omaha supplemental. I asked MO of they offered SilverSneakers and they said no. So for 2018, I switched from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage and signed up with UHC for the SilverSneakers free healthclub membership because the health club that I've been going to for years that is 5 minutes away from my ouse was participating in SS. Then this year UHC dropped SilverSneakers and my club won't participate in RenewActive. I was told this was due to a "conflict of interest." Then why does LA Fitness (20 minutes away for me) participate in both programs? So this past January, I tried going on medicare.gov in search for other MA plans to switch to (because we have until March 31st to switch) that would have SS and unfortunately, my doctors aren't in their network or my drugs aren't in their formulary. Does Original Medicare now offer SS? Also, I was told by LA Fitness that now you only get 50% off with SS, whereas previously the membership was free!

[JohnathanW212160]

I just heard about this as well! I was searching the web for info about what is going on with sneakers and found this video https://youtu.be/Ug_BMbO6TKk The only person I've found to give alternatives if you still want to have a plan that inlcudes it. Called them up and got the scoop on the F extra also. If you want info on whats going on with the time period for F extra they seem to know their stuff there

[KathyC708800]

To update my previous post re CALIFORNIA residents. My broker just sent me this link. To be absolutely sure, I called Blue Shield at the number listed and confirmed that during this special period, I can change from an Anthem G plan to the Blue Shield F Extra Plan. That would have been my first choice when I made my change in January, but it would have required underwriting because it was an upgrade from my F Plan with UHC. So I'm going to grab this opportunity and get changed asap.

https://www.blueshieldca.com/bsca/bsc/wcm/connect/sites/sites_content_en/medicare/supplement_plans/o...

[KathyC708800]

My broker alerted me yesterday that Blue Shield wants more of the business.  They have extended the period you can switch to an equal or lower plan without underwriting to run all year 2019.  So you don't have to wait until your birthday to change. Blue Shield includes Silver Sneakers. I believe that info is validated on the Blue Shield Site https://blueshieldcamedicare.com/medicare-plans-california/medicare-supplement-plans/.  Since it runs month-to-month, I'm guessing an application submitted today might get you on effective tomorrow. 

Hope this info helps someone.

[Chidad53]

See my earlier reply --- the Chicago manager of my club told me that I can use the new plan -- which AARP says they know nothing about - all over the USA!

[Chidad53]

The sign was posted on the doorof LA Fitness here in Chicago,and while the savings seem smalll, I was told by the manager, that I can use the new and improved option all over the country! When I emailed AARP for more info, I was told that they cluld not help me, based on the information I provided???