LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As part of its long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of its members, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has agreed to a four-year extension through 2015 of its current contract offering Healthways (HWAY) award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to eligible members. SilverSneakers, the nations leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, is offered to Arkansas Blue Cross more than 120,000 Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement members.

Providing programs and services to help our Medi-Pak and Medi-Pak Advantage members be their healthy best is an important aspect of our health plans, said Cindy Thornton, vice president of Senior Products. SilverSneakers continues to be one of the benefits that helps our members feel better and enhance their quality of life. Our members tell us SilverSneakers has made a difference in their health and well-being, and Arkansas Blue Cross is committed to keeping this program available to our members at no additional cost to them.

Using proven methodologies based upon more than 16 years of science and outcomes, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program increases physical activity in older adults, resulting in higher well-being and lower health care costs. The program engages participants in active behavior change through access to a variety of physical activity venues and senior-specific programming that incorporates physical fitness and social experiences.

As part of their mission, Arkansas Blue Cross offers products and services designed to create high customer value, confidence, peace of mind and an improved quality of life. By continuing to offer SilverSneakers to its Medi-Pak Advantage and Medi-Pak members, Arkansas Blue Cross is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to its older adult members through a time-tested, proven solution that provides a unique combination of exercise and social support to improve members health and overall well-being, said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer.

The enduring success of the program is evidenced through the SilverSneakers Fitness Program 2011 Annual Member Survey. According to the results, four out of five new members who were previously sedentary report, at least, doubling their amount of weekly exercise. Additionally, more than half of new members indicated that their SilverSneakers membership was their first fitness center membership. Fifty-six percent of SilverSneakers participants reported an increase in physical activity compared to the previous year, and a majority of participants reported reduced pain from arthritis, sciatica or lower back problems after participating in the program.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and serves more than 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to 14,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. Arkansas Blue Cross has provided SilverSneakers access to eligible members since 2007.

About Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 2,800 employees. If combined, the 38 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans collectively provide health care coverage for 100 million nearly one in three Americans.

About Healthways

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Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Extends Relationship with Healthways, Offers SilverSneakers Fitness Program ...