Bravo Health to Offer SilverSneakers Benefit to Texas Markets in 2009
Fitness Program Use Associated with Lower Health Care Costs, Fewer Hospital Stays
(BALTIMORE, MD — January 13, 2009) — Bravo Health, a Medicare Advantage plan dedicated to providing beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care, today announced it will offer the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to members in its Texas markets, including El Paso, Harris and Bexar counties as well as its new 2009 expansion markets of Tarrant, Fort Bend, Liberty, Chambers, Montgomery and Dallas counties. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that older adults who regularly participate in such fitness programs have lower overall health care costs and are admitted to the hospital less often. 1
The SilverSneakers Fitness Program, designed exclusively for Medicare-eligible individuals, offers access to physical activity, health education and social events at fitness centers. The program is available at no additional cost to members of participating plans. Regular physical activity has been shown to be effective in the prevention of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers, and has also been shown to alleviate many disease symptoms.
"We're very pleased to be able to provide the SilverSneakers program benefit to members in our Texas markets," said Jeff Folick, chairman and chief executive officer of Bravo Health. "Bravo Health is consistently seeking to offer members new approaches to living well, and the SilverSneakers program has been shown to support participants' desire to stay active and healthy."
SilverSneakers participants have a complimentary membership with access to a variety of participating fitness centers throughout the country, including many popular national chains. Many sites offer amenities such as fitness equipment, treadmills and free weights, and the signature SilverSneakers Fitness Program classes, designed specifically for older adults and taught by certified instructors. Additional signature classes, such as YogaStretch, SilverSplash®, CardioFit and Weight Circuit, may be available at select locations. Designated staff members, called Senior AdvisorsSM, are available in many locations to provide personal assistance.
The SilverSneakers program is also available to Bravo Health members in other U.S. markets, including Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. To enroll in SilverSneakers, eligible members are asked to present their health plan ID card to the front desk at their chosen participating location. Staff there will assist with enrollment, which includes brief paperwork and a tour of the location. For more information regarding the SilverSneakers Fitness Program or to find a participating location, visit www.mybravohealth.com.
About Bravo Health
Founded in 1996, Bravo Health provides Medicare beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care. With more than 250,000 members, Bravo Health offers Medicare Advantage health plans in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 46 states. For more information, visit www.bravohealth.com.
About the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program
The SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is offered by Healthways, an industry leader providing specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to help people maintain or improve their health. Founded in 1992, SilverSneakers is one of the nation's premier exercise programs designed exclusively for Medicare members and offers an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially-oriented programming that allows older adults to take greater control of their health. The unique program is available at no additional cost (other than any medical plan premium) to eligible Medicare members and is currently offered in 49 states at more than 3,200 fitness centers, YMCAs, JCCs, class sites, and 6,500 Curves locations in all 50 states. For more information on SilverSneakers, call 480-783-9555 or visit www.silversneakers.com.
If you are a member of the press interested in receiving more information about Bravo Health, please contact:
Lisa Trapani
Rose Communications Inc.
410-245-0094 (cell)
ltrapani@rosecomm.com