MIAMI & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As part of its long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of its members, AvMed Health Plans has agreed to a two-year extension through 2014 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 more than 31,000 AvMed Medicare Advantage members in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Our members are extremely enthusiastic about SilverSneakers, said Winston Lonsdale, AvMeds Chief Medicare Executive. We are encouraged by their many success stories about how exercise and increased activity have improved their quality of life. At the end of the day, our mission is to improve the quality of life of our members. This is a good partnership for us. We encourage our members to make use of this unique opportunity to get fit, have fun and boost their overall health.

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 healthcare 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.

The enduring success of the program is evidenced through the SilverSneakers Fitness Program 2011 AvMed Annual Member Survey. According to the results, AvMed SilverSneakers members report a reduced incidence of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, high blood pressure and diabetes, when compared to the national averages for older adults. Participants also rate their health status significantly higher than the national averages, with 59 percent of AvMed SilverSneakers enrollees reporting their health in 2011 as either excellent or very good, compared to 30 percent of older adults in the US.

By continuing to offer SilverSneakers to Medicare Advantage enrollees, AvMed has confirmed its long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of its older adult members in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. The AvMed member survey findings clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of SilverSneakers and its unique combination of exercise and social support, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with AvMed in leading their members to optimal health.

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 more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. AvMed has provided SilverSneakers access to eligible members since 2010.

About AvMed Health Plans

AvMed has been providing health care coverage to Florida citizens and businesses for over 40 years. AvMed offers health coverage options to large and small employers in most major markets around the state; Medicare Advantage products in Broward and MiamiDade counties, and Individual coverage in Broward, MiamiDade and Palm Beach counties. For more information about AvMed, visit http://www.avmed.org.

About Healthways

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AvMed Health Plans to Offer Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program Through 2014