Agreement Brings Access to SilverSneakers Fitness Program to 42,000 Members in 13 States
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In an effort to promote wellness and disease prevention to its older adult members, Universal Health Care will begin offering the Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) SilverSneakers® Fitness Program on January 1, 2011, to subscribers of their Medicare Advantage Plan in 13 states (Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia). SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading social support and exercise program designed to improve seniors’ well-being and health.
Eligible Universal Health members can join the award-winning program at no additional cost and enjoy the fitness, fun and friends for which the acclaimed program is known. SilverSneakers is designed exclusively for older adults and taught by certified instructors, offering an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle direction and social opportunities. Published third-party studies have found individuals who participate in SilverSneakers programs have lower medical costs and require fewer hospital admissions.1
“We are thrilled to be offering such a terrific program as SilverSneakers to our members,” stated Universal CEO Dr. A.K. Desai. “This partnership will help Universal further our mission of partnering with our members in their journey to a healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.”
Research has demonstrated SilverSneakers improves the health and well-being of participants through its unique combination of exercise and social support. A published 2008 study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found SilverSneakers provided tangible health benefits for high-risk members. Members with diabetes who were active in SilverSneakers were admitted to the hospital less often, had lower inpatient care costs and had significant reduction in overall health care costs after only a year of participation.2
“We are pleased Universal Health Care will be providing this important program, SilverSneakers, to its Medicare members,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways CEO. “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. SilverSneakers makes exercising an enjoyable and socially rewarding experience. Universal is showing that it values the health and well-being of its members.”
SilverSneakers’ robust network provides eligible members with access to more than 10,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities throughout the country. Many sites offer amenities such as exercise equipment, treadmills and free weights, and the signature SilverSneakers fitness classes. Additional signature classes, such as YogaStretch and SilverSplash®, are available at select locations.
About Healthways
Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall costs. Healthways' solutions are designed to keep healthy people healthy, reduce health-related risks and optimize care for those with chronic illness. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, Internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network and a national Fitness Center Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.healthways.com.
About Universal Health Care
Universal Health Care Group is the parent company of Universal Health Care, Inc., a managed care company that has been providing Medicare Advantage Health Plans to Medicare eligible beneficiaries since 2003 – most notably the “Medicare Masterpiece® Plan” and “Medicare Masterpiece® PPO,” as well as Florida Medicaid benefits through its “Universal U-First®” Plans. The Group is also parent to Universal Health Care Insurance Company, Inc., which offers the popular Medicare Advantage “ANY ANY ANY® Plan.” The Group is serving members located in 13 states (Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah and Virginia). For more in-depth information about the Company and the services we offer, please visit our website at www.univhc.com.
1http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jan/07_0148.htm
2http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/31/8/1562.full
CONTACT:
Healthways
Chip Wochomurka, 615-614-4493
[email protected]
or
Universal Health Care
Jim O’Drobinak, 727-456-6500
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Florida Tennessee
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Fitness & Nutrition Hospitals Other Health Professional Services Insurance General Health
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