What SilverSneakers Is and Who Can Use It

SilverSneakers is a fitness program included with many Medicare Advantage and some Medigap plans. If your plan covers it, you get access to gym facilities, fitness classes, and sometimes online workouts at no extra cost beyond your regular plan premium. The program is run by Tivity Health, a company that contracts with insurance plans to offer the benefit.

Not every Medicare plan includes SilverSneakers. Medicare Original (Part A and B) does not automatically include it, though some standalone Medigap policies do. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer it, but coverage varies by plan and by region. The easiest way to know whether you have it is to check your plan documents or call the member services number on your insurance card.

If your plan does include SilverSneakers, you can start using it right away — there is no separate sign-up process with the insurance company. You sign up directly with SilverSneakers using your member ID number from your insurance card.

Key Takeaways

  • SilverSneakers is a no-cost fitness benefit included with many Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap policies, but not with Original Medicare.
  • You access the program by signing up on the SilverSneakers website or calling their member line with your insurance member ID number.
  • The program covers gym memberships at participating facilities, group fitness classes, and online workout videos, but the specific gyms available depend on your location.
  • You can use SilverSneakers as long as you remain enrolled in a plan that includes the benefit and pay your plan premiums.

How to Sign Up for SilverSneakers

Start by confirming your plan includes SilverSneakers. Call the member services number on your insurance card or log into your plan's website and look for fitness benefits or SilverSneakers in the benefits section. If it is listed, you have the benefit.

To set up your membership, go to the SilverSneakers website (silversneakers.com) or call 1-888-423-4632. You will need your Medicare member ID number, which is on your insurance card. Have your date of birth and zip code ready as well. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you will receive a membership card by mail within one to two weeks.

While you wait for your physical card, you can start using the program. SilverSneakers will give you a temporary digital membership number you can show on your phone at participating gyms. Some locations will let you start classes when ready with just your name and date of birth.

What Gyms and Classes Are Included

SilverSneakers partners with thousands of gyms, fitness centers, and YMCAs across the country. The specific locations available to you depend on where you live. Common chains include Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and local YMCAs, but not every location of every chain participates.

Use the gym locator tool on the SilverSneakers website to search by zip code and see which facilities near you are included. The tool shows you the address, hours, and what equipment or classes each location offers. Some gyms offer only basic equipment access, while others include group fitness classes like water aerobics, yoga, strength training, and balance classes.

In addition to in-person gym access, SilverSneakers offers online fitness classes and videos through their website. These include live and on-demand classes in categories like yoga, cardio, strength, and flexibility. You can access these from home using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

What SilverSneakers Does Not Cover

SilverSneakers covers gym access and group fitness classes, but it does not pay for personal training sessions, specialized coaching, or one-on-one instruction. Some gyms offer personal training at an additional cost, but SilverSneakers does not reimburse that expense.

The program also does not cover fitness equipment you buy for home use, fitness apps outside the SilverSneakers platform, or classes at facilities that do not participate in the program. If you want to use a gym or studio that is not listed in the SilverSneakers network, you would pay out of pocket.

How Long You Can Keep Your Membership

Your SilverSneakers membership remains active as long as you stay enrolled in a plan that includes the benefit and continue paying your plan premiums. If you switch to a different Medicare plan that does not include SilverSneakers, your membership ends. If you drop your current plan, your membership ends when ready.

If you move to a different state or region, your SilverSneakers membership stays active, but the gyms available to you may change. Use the gym locator tool to find participating facilities in your new location. You do not need to re-sign up or get a new membership card.

If you have a gap in coverage — for example, if your plan ends on one date and a new plan starts on another — your SilverSneakers membership may also have a gap. Contact SilverSneakers member services to confirm your coverage dates if you are switching plans.

What to Bring When You Visit a Gym

Bring your SilverSneakers membership card or show the temporary digital membership number on your phone. You will also need a photo ID. Some gyms may ask for additional information the first time you visit, such as an emergency contact or a waiver form, but this is standard for any gym membership.

If you have not received your physical card yet, call the gym ahead of time to confirm they will accept your temporary digital membership number. Most do, but policies vary by location. The SilverSneakers member line can also tell you what to expect at a specific gym near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if there are no SilverSneakers gyms near me?

The program is available in most urban and suburban areas but may have limited options in rural regions. Use the gym locator on the SilverSneakers website to see what is available in your zip code. If no gyms participate near you, contact SilverSneakers member services — they may be able to suggest alternatives or tell you about online class options.

Can I use SilverSneakers at more than one gym?

Yes. Your membership works at any participating SilverSneakers gym. You can visit different locations, take classes at one gym and use equipment at another, or split your time however works for your schedule. There is no limit on how many facilities you can use.

Do I have to pay anything to use SilverSneakers?

No. If your plan includes SilverSneakers, there is no additional cost beyond your regular plan premium. Gym access and group classes are covered. Personal training, specialized programs, or classes at non-participating facilities would cost extra.

What happens to my SilverSneakers membership if I turn 65 or reach a certain age?

SilverSneakers is available to all Medicare members whose plans include the benefit, regardless of age. There is no age limit or cutoff. As long as you remain enrolled in a plan that covers SilverSneakers, you can use it.

Can I use SilverSneakers if I have Original Medicare?

Original Medicare (Part A and B) does not automatically include SilverSneakers. However, some Medigap supplemental insurance policies do include it. Check your Medigap policy documents or call your insurance company to see if the benefit is included in your coverage.