Health Care Talk (HCTalk.com)

[Denver Dave]

SilverSneakers benefit for Medicare Advantage plans
http://pnhp.org/blog/2010/01/27/silversneakers-benefit-for-medicare-advantage-plans/

Announcement:
Blue Shield of California announced today that it will expand its contract with Healthways, Inc. to offer the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to Blue Shield Medicare Advantage members in San Bernardino County. SilverSneakers, which Blue Shield already offers in Los Angeles and Orange counties, is the nation’s leading exercise program for older adults."

McCanne's Comment:
Healthways SilverSneakers is a membership fitness program for seniors provided as a free benefit by many Medicare Advantage programs throughout the nation. It is not a benefit that is allowed in the traditional Medicare program.

We certainly applaud seniors who participate in programs designed to maintain physical fitness and general wellness. But there are two features of this program that should outrage taxpayers.

1) "These programs are funded by government overpayments made to the private Medicare Advantage plans. Though some of the overpayments are used for additional benefits, much is wasted in excessive administrative costs and profits. Not only should taxpayers object to the waste, they should also object to a program that provides extra benefits limited to private plan enrollees but not available to those in the traditional Medicare program."

2) "Which of our seniors would find the SilverSneakers program to be an attractive benefit? Obviously only the healthiest without infirmities that would prevent them from participating in the exercise programs. SilverSneakers is being selectively marketed to the healthiest, lowest-cost seniors, even though their private plans are being paid much more than we spend taking care of patients in the traditional Medicare program which includes a disproportionate share of chronically ill patients. The taxpayers take care of the sick, while they doubly overpay the private plans to take care of the lower-cost healthier individuals."

For the full announcement and article
http://pnhp.org/blog/2010/01/27/silversneakers-benefit-for-medicare-advantage-plans/