Empire Blue Cross Continues Commitment to New Yorkers with SilverSneakers Benefit
Members of Empire Medicare Advantage plans can participate in
SilverSneakers health programs at no cost as part of plan benefits
ALBANY, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Empire Blue Cross (Empire) will continue offering access to
SilverSneakers®, as one of the many benefits included in its 2018
Medicare Advantage plans. This is part of Empire’s ongoing commitment to
the health and well-being of its current members and those Empire hopes
to have the privilege of serving in the future. SilverSneakers – offered
by Tivity Health – is a fitness program tailored to older adults and is
celebrating 25 years of partnering with consumers to help them achieve
better health.
Empire’s members have expressed time and again that their involvement in
SilverSneakers has made a significant impact on their health and
well-being.
“Fitness has always been an important part of my life so I started going
to SilverSneakers’ programs when I gained access to them through my
Empire Medicare Advantage plans and now I go almost every weekday,” said
Della Gehl, an Empire member and active SilverSneakers participant from
New York, NY. “SilverSneakers is the best thing that has happened to me
since my retirement and my adult kids tell me this all the time. The
program made my recovery from a surgery much easier and has helped me
lead a healthy life. On top of the physical health, I’ve made many
friends from the people I’ve met at the gym.”
SilverSneakers by Tivity Health teams up with healthcare stakeholders,
such as Empire, to help millions of baby boomers and beyond meet their
personal goals and overcome health stereotypes. The program helps older
adults take greater control of their health by engaging participants in
more frequent exercise, strength training, aerobics, and flexibility
training through a variety of venues and programming.
“Della is an example of why Empire Blue Cross offers access to
SilverSneakers and other benefits to improve health; we want to give our
members solutions to the health care challenges they face every day,”
said Tomas Orozco, President of the company’s Medicare East region. “We
know many consumers are doing their research right now on Medicare
Advantage plans for 2018. These individuals think it’s important that
their health plan have benefits that help them live healthier lives.”
Empire offers SilverSneakers – as well as many other health plan
benefits – to members enrolled in the following plans:
- Empire MediBlue Plus (HMO)
- Empire MediBlue Select (HMO)
- Empire MediBlue Core (HMO)
- Empire MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS)
- Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)
- Empire MediBlue Access (PPO)
Individuals who are interested in joining one of these health plans can
enroll during this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The
AEP began October 15, 2017, and continues through December 7, 2017 and
gives consumers enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B the opportunity to
sign up for Empire’s 2018 Medicare Advantage plans.
Empire is organizing events throughout New York, which consumers can
attend to get more information about SilverSneakers, other health plan
benefits, and the Medicare Advantage plans that give members access to
those benefits:
-
Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Courtyard Poughkeepsie; 2641 South
Rd./Route 9, Poughkeepsie -
Nov. 16, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; F & J Pine Restaurant; 1913 Bronxdale Ave.,
Bronx -
Nov. 20, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Denny’s Restaurant; 805 Pennsylvania
Ave., Brooklyn -
Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to noon; TOPS Diner / American Grill; 351 Duanesburg
Rd., Rotterdam -
Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to noon; Emmons Palace Restaurant; 2265 Emmons Ave.,
Brooklyn -
Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to noon; Juniors Restaurant; 386 Flatbush Ave.,
Brooklyn
These are just a few enrollment-related events happening throughout New
York. Please call 877-998-4236 to find out about more events in the area.
For details about Empire’s Medicare plans in your area, call (855)
866-4242 or visit Empire’s Medicare online store at https://shop.empireblue.com/medicare.
Empire BlueCross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Empire
BlueCross is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a
coordination of benefits agreement with the New York Medicaid program.
Empire BlueCross is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in
Empire BlueCross depends on contract renewal. This information is not a
complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.
Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums
and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year.
You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. We do not
discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health
programs and activities.
注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-888-230-7338（TTY：711）。 ATENCIÓN: Si
habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia
lingüística. Llame al 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711). This plan is available
to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare.
Premium, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the
level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further
details. Other providers are available in our network. The provider
network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.
About Empire BlueCross
Empire BlueCross (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice
Assurance, Inc. and Empire BlueCross HMO is the trade name of Empire
HealthChoice HMO, Inc. independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue
Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern
and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information
about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.
Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EmpireBCBS_News
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskEmpire.
About SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers, by Tivity
Health, is the nation’s leading community fitness program for older
Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than
14.5 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage
plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. This year,
SilverSneakers is celebrating its 25th anniversary, decades
of improving the physical, social and mental health of millions of older
Americans. To learn more about the program’s legacy and anniversary, or
to check eligibility or enroll, go to silversneakers.com.
Contacts
Empire BlueCross
Hieu Nguyen, 1-202-510-8848
hieu.nguyen2@anthem.com
