Individuals who practice more
preventive medicine, such as well-care visits and exercising, are more likely
to perceive their health to be "good" or "excellent." Preventive care leads to
lower health care costs. Those who practice less preventive medicine are more
likely to perceive their health as "poor."1 They tend to have higher
health care costs due to frequent emergency room and hospital visits and fewer
well-care visits.
As IBC makes changes for the better
— for our providers and our members — we look to lead more members
toward "good" or "excellent" perception of their health. One resource we use to
improve our Medicare-eligible members' health and well-being is the Healthways
SilverSneakers Fitness Program, the national leader in older-adult fitness
programming. SilverSneakers includes a fitness membership with access to more
than 11,000 fitness locations nationwide, use of all amenities, specially
designed classes, and social and educational opportunities.
Each year SilverSneakers
surveys program members on their health status and program participation. On
the 2012 Annual Member Survey for IBC members, 56 percent of respondents
reported that their health care provider advised them to exercise compared to
61 percent from 2011.2 We encourage you to discuss fitness with your
IBC patients; they listen to you. Here are some key points for those
discussions:
- IBC respondents' scores on
the SF-12? survey, which measures generic health concepts relevant
across age, disease, and treatment groups, were well above those of national
seniors. The SF-12 measures physical functioning, role limitations due to
physical health problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality
(energy/fatigue), social functioning, role limitations due to emotional
problems, and behavioral health (psychological distress and psychological
well-being). Results are expressed in terms of two constructs: the physical
component summary (PCS) score and the mental component summary (MCS) score. The
standardized results can be compared across populations.2
- The latest independent
study, conducted in 2008, compared health care costs for SilverSneakers members
(study group) to members of the same age and gender who were not enrolled in
the program (control group). SilverSneakers participants had fewer hospital
admissions, lower inpatient care costs, and significantly lower overall health
care costs than those in the control group. Program members also showed
increased commitment to preventive health care services; in both the first and
second years of SilverSneakers membership, the study group had more primary and
specialty care visits than control group members.3
Enrolling in SilverSneakers
Enrolling in SilverSneakers is easy.
IBC Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO members receive their personal
SilverSneakers ID card in a special mailing. They simply need to take the
SilverSneakers ID card to their closest SilverSneakers location to sign up and
get started. (Members who don't have a SilverSneakers ID card can call
SilverSneakers to have it mailed.) Your patients can visit www.silversneakers.com or call
1-888-423-4632 for more information on the program
and to find their closest participating location.
Help your patients experience positive
changes in their lives by practicing preventive care — refer them to
SilverSneakers today.
Note:
SilverSneakers is offered to Keystone 65 Select HMO, Keystone 65 Preferred HMO,
and Personal Choice 65SM PPO members at no cost.
References
1Idler, E. & Benyamini, Y.
(1997). Self-Rated Health & Mortality. A Review of Twenty-Seven Community
Studies. Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
22012 SilverSneakers Annual Member Survey
3Nguyen, H.Q., Ackermann, R.T., Maciejewski, M., Berke,
E., Patrick, M., Williams, B., LoGerfo, J.P. (2008). Managed-Medicare Health
Club Benefit and Reduced Health Care Costs Among Older Adults. Preventing
Chronic Disease, 5(1), 1-10. www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jan/07_0148.htm.
This is not a statement of benefits. Benefits may vary based on
Federal requirements, Benefits Program (HMO, PPO, etc.), and/or employer
groups. Providers should call Customer Service for the member's applicable
benefits information. Members should be instructed to call the Customer Service
telephone number listed on their ID card.
SilverSneakers is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc., an
independent company.