Effective Jan. 1, retirees and their spouses who are enrolled in Concordia Plan Services’ (CPS) Medicare supplemental coverage option are being offered the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program cost-free through 2015.
CPS recently announced the new offering in partnership with Nashville, Tenn.-based Healthways — described in a news release from the two organizations as a “
well-being improvement leader.” The release notes that the program is offered “as part of [CPS’] mission to provide quality benefits and services that support workers and their families throughout their service and retirement.”
The SilverSneakers program, founded in 1993, serves more than 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.
“We’re excited to make this program available to our retired church workers,” said CPS Health Educator Steve Gruenwald. “This is an excellent way to support and encourage their health and wellness efforts as they keep well the body entrusted to their care.”
The joint news release describes the SilverSneakers program as follows:
“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. Physical activity can reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, relieve symptoms of depression, help maintain older-adult independent living and enhance overall quality of life.
“Strength training is recommended as part of a comprehensive physical activity program among older adults and may help to improve balance and decrease risk of falls. SilverSneakers engages participants in more frequent strength training, ae
robic and flexibility exercise through access to a variety of venues and programming. The program is designed specifically for older adults and incorporates social and physical experiences.”
“Concordia is committed to helping improve the well-being of its church workers and retirees,” said Ben R. Leedle Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. “By offering the SilverSneakers Fitness program to its members with Medicare Supplemental coverage, Concordia is furthering this commitment by providing access to a proven program that provides a unique combination of exercise and social support. Healthways is proud to partner with Concordia to improve the health and well-being of its members through SilverSneakers, a program that is user-friendly, highly rewarding and enjoyable.”
Concordia Plan Services is the LCMS benefits provider of choice for more than 6,000 LCMS congregations, schools, universities, seminaries and other organizations in the United States and in mission fields worldwide. Through those participating organizations, more than 31,000 active workers and 54,000 dependents are covered by the various benefits that CPS provides.
To learn more about Healthways and SilverSneakers, visit their respective websites — www.healthways.com and www.silversneakers.com.
Posted Jan. 24, 2013
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