HealthwaysChip Wochomurka, 615-614-4493orMVP Health CareJacqueline Marciniak, 518-388-2474
As part of its promise to have a positive impact on the health and wellness of those they serve, MVP Health Care today announced a long-term extension of its agreement with Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program through 2016. MVP Health Care has offered SilverSneakers to members of its Medicare Advantage plans since 2004.
With today’s announcement, SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, will continue to be available to members of MVP Health Care’s Medicare Advantage plans in New York State and Vermont.
Using proven methodologies based upon more than 20 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. SilverSneakers engages participants in more frequent strength training, aerobic, and flexibility exercise through access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults that incorporates social experiences.
“As MVP celebrates its 10-year anniversary of partnering with Healthways, we are pleased to extend our contract and continue offering the many great benefits of this relationship to our members,” said Patrick J. Glavey, Executive Vice President, Government Programs for MVP. “Healthways’ creativity in developing new programs is a perfect match to our Medicare membership’s evolving interests.”
The effectiveness of the program is evidenced through surveys of MVP Health Care’s members. According to the 2012 survey results, 64% of MVP members who had enrolled in SilverSneakers reported their health as excellent or very good, more than twice the national average of 30% for older adults as reported by the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). In addition, 85% of MVP respondents reported no impairment in activities of daily living, as compared to the national average of 63% for older adults. More than half of the surveyed members reported improvement in arthritis pain and lower back pain since participating in the program.
“By choosing to offer SilverSneakers through 2016, MVP demonstrates why its commitment to enhancing the health of their members is so highly regarded,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. “Healthways is honored to partner with MVP in its efforts to transform the lives of its older adult members through a program that is both highly rewarding and enjoyable.”
The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1992 and serves more than 10 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.
Founded in 1983, MVP Health Care is a community-focused, not-for-profit health insurer serving members in the states of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Through its operating subsidiaries, MVP Health Care provides fully insured and self-funded employer health benefits plans, dental insurance, and ancillary products, such as flexible spending accounts, to more than 613,000 members. For more information, visit .
Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 45 million people on four continents. Learn more at or .