News Release
January 11, 2012
HMSA to offer Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to eligible Medicare Advantage members
Moani Wright-Van Alst
(808) 952-7566
moani_wright@hmsa.com
The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and Healthways are
offering the award-winning SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to HMSA’s Medicare
Advantage members who select the Akamai Advantage Select Plus plan beginning January
1, 2012. SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading exercise program designed
to keep older adults active and healthy.
“We are excited to offer this terrific program to our Select Plus members,”
said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. “We are committed
to the health and wellness of our members, and SilverSneakers will make it easier
for Hawaii’s older adults to take control of their health and live a healthier,
social and independent lifestyle.”
SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading fitness solution designed to keep older
adults active and healthy. The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1996
and serves 46 clients with nearly 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness
center network offers convenient access to over 14,000 participating fitness and
wellness facilities nationwide.
Research demonstrates that SilverSneakers improves the health and well-being of
participants through its unique combination of exercise and social support. Independent
studies show that plans offering SilverSneakers can experience lower health care
costs. A
study backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed SilverSneakers
helped to lower costs by $500 per member over a two-year period.
“For 10 years Healthways and HMSA have enjoyed a successful collaboration
based on our joint commitment to innovative approaches to improve the health and
well-being of its members and our belief that effective integration of services
provides significant, real value for those members,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr.,
Healthways president and chief executive officer. “By offering the SilverSneakers
program to its Akamai Advantage Select Plus members, HMSA has confirmed this commitment
to member well-being while furthering the effective integration of the services
we provide through our long-standing partnership.”
Earlier this year, HMSA and Healthways announced an agreement transferring HMSA’s
integrated health management functions and other health and wellness programs to
Healthways. The two organizations are working jointly to develop and implement HMSA’s
statewide patient-centered medical home initiative.
About HMSA
HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is
governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health
care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large.
HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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 help healthy individuals
stay healthy, mitigate or eliminate lifestyle risk factors that can lead to disease
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.
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