Unless you look into it, you might not realize just how many different services you are eligible to take advantage of as part of a Medicare policy.
One excellent and often-overlooked example of this is the fitness initiatives that can be paid for out of your insurance, allowing you to improve your physical health and also cope better with mental health challenges through exercise.
Let’s look at just three such programs, each of which can be accessed if you have an Advantage Plan, otherwise known as Medicare Part C.
SeniorPHIT
In spite of its slightly gimmicky name, which includes the acronym for ‘Personal Health Improvement Training’, this project might be compelling enough to convince you to change Medicare supplement plans so that you are eligible to participate.
First of all, it includes the option to receive a completely bespoke wellness guide which is tailored to your unique needs and medical background.
Also offered under the SeniorPHIT scheme is meal planning, which will of course be integrated with the other aspects of the course. The idea is that by getting professional guidance on how to adjust your diet, you will make healthier choices which are also within your budget.
This initiative even features round-the-clock access to a fitness coach who can be contacted online to give you tips, guidance and advice at any point. So personalization is very much the name of the game here, helping you overcome whatever unique challenges you face.
Silver&Fit
Another good fit for seniors who are eager to do what they can to maintain and improve their physical abilities in later life, Silver&Fit is associated with a number of fitness centers nationwide.
That means you can access exercise equipment and also trainer-led classes that will gel with your goals and abilities.
Since many of these venues have other amenities, you can also enjoy rest and relaxation as part and parcel of Silver&Fit. So whether you want to swim a few lengths in a public pool, sweat it out in a sauna or sit and people watch in the cafeteria, all this and more is possible.
Of course it might not be practical or desirable to visit a separate bricks and mortar fitness facility, so if your circumstances make it sensible to stay fit at home, this is another aspect of the Silver&Fit package.
Just ask and you will receive the equipment and instructional media necessary to keep trim from the comfort of your living room.
SilverSneakers
Last but by no means least, SilverSneakers is noteworthy for having the largest uptake of all Medicare-covered fitness schemes, catering to thousands of users nationally.
Like Silver&Fit, it is integrated with a network of exercise facilities, from small local gyms to large urban complexes.
At the core of the experience are classes specifically crafted around seniors, with instructors who will pay attention to the requirements of people in this age group and have experience in maximizing their potential in an exercise environment.
Aside from the facility access, you can also enjoy social activities within the SilverSneakers project, which is a great way to meet like-minded people of similar ages and backgrounds to you.
Some of these activities take place in the great outdoors, so if you are more interested in hiking than pumping iron or doing yoga, this could be the right program to pick.
So there you have it; there are a whole host of ways for Medicare users to stay in shape without having to face the steep cost of a generic gym membership. All you need to do is get the right plan, and the rest will fall into place.