PORTLAND, Ore. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Regence is partnering with well-being improvement leader Healthways (HWAY), to offer the SilverSneakers Fitness Program to its Regence Medicare Advantage PPO members. SilverSneakers is the nations leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy. The three-year partnership will provide the program to more than 100,000 members in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah through 2015. Regence Medicare Advantage PPO members can join the award-winning program at no additional cost.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity is essential to healthy aging. Further information from the CDC states that exercise not only helps strengthen muscles in older adults, but it can also prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with aging. 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.

While regular exercise is a crucial part of healthy living for people of all ages, it is particularly effective in preventing or managing chronic diseases for older adults, said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. We look forward to partnering with Regence to provide this time-tested program to their Medicare Advantage PPO members in the Northwest and Intermountain states.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program engages participants in active behavior change through access to a variety of physical activity venues and programming specifically for older adults that incorporates physical fitness and social experiences. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. In addition to the national network, Regence members have access to more than 500 fitness and wellness facilities across their four-state service area.

Regence is committed to improving the health of our members at any age or fitness level. Our experience with wellness programs has shown that a more physically active lifestyle can make a measurable difference in our members overall health and well-being. We believe our Medicare Advantage members will enjoy the benefits of SilverSneakers friends and fun model and most importantly, they will reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, said Lisa Brubaker, senior vice president of Government Programs for Regence.

More information on the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, including a list of available fitness centers, is available on the programs website at http://www.silversneakers.com. Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a Regence Medicare Advantage PPO plan during the ongoing Medicare annual election period, which runs from October 15 through December 7, 2012.

About Regence affiliated companies

The Regence affiliated companies serve more than two million members through Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit http://www.regence.com or follow us on Twitter.

About Healthways

Read this article:
Regence and Healthways Partner to Offer SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to Regence Medicare Advantage PPO Plans ...