LOUISVILLE, Ky. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its dream to help people achieve lifelong well-being, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, has expanded its relationship with Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to eligible members in Pennsylvania and Nevada.
SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading exercise and social support program available to more than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries, has been offered to Humana Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement members since 2004. The newly expanded agreement, that includes Nevada and Pennsylvania, makes the SilverSneakers Fitness Program available to more than 2.2 million Humana Medicare members nationwide.
“Humana has partnered with Healthways and SilverSneakers to offer our Medicare Advantage members an outstanding exercise program for nearly 10 years,” said Debbie Smith, Humana’s Vice President of Senior Products. “As this year’s Medicare enrollment season gets underway, we are pleased to continue the SilverSneakers Fitness Program offering with the expanded availability for our members.”
The enduring efficacy of the program is evidenced through a 2012 survey of Humana members who have participated in SilverSneakers. The national survey found that 60 percent of Humana SilverSneakers participants reported their health as excellent or very good, nearly twice the national average of 32 percent for older adults, as reported by the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS)1.
In addition, 82 percent of Humana respondents reported no impairment in activities of daily living, as compared to the HOS national average of 63 percent for older adults. Further results indicate that four out of five new members who were previously considered sedentary are now exercising at least twice a week.
“Humana has been at the forefront in providing programs that focus on the health and well-being of its members,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways President and Chief Executive Officer. “By continuing its partnership with Healthways and offering SilverSneakers, Humana is providing ongoing support to its older adult members to lead more healthy lives in all 50 states. This expanded agreement demonstrates our shared goals to impact the older adult population through an established, highly successful program and subsequently work together to significantly improve overall health and well-being nationally.”
Using proven methodologies based upon more than 20 years of science and outcomes, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program increases physical activity in older adults, often resulting in higher well-being and lower health care costs. The program engages participants in active behavior change through access to a variety of physical activity venues and senior-specific programming that incorporates physical fitness and social experiences.
The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1992 and is available through many Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement carriers, and group retiree plans. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:
- Annual reports to stockholders;
- Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
- Most recent investor conference presentations;
- Quarterly earnings news releases;
- Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls;
- Calendar of events (including upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors);
- Corporate Governance information.
About Healthways
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 www.silversneakers.com or www.healthways.com.
