Citizens Choice Healthplan and Healthways Partner to Offer SilverSneakers® Fitness Program

LOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)--

As part of their mission to become a leader in the health care industry by improving the well-being of their members, Citizens Choice Healthplan today announced a partnership with well-being improvement leader Healthways to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program to eligible Medicare Advantage members.

SilverSneakers, the nation's leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, will be available to members of the Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO Medicare Advantage plan effective January 1, 2013 in the following California counties: Los Angeles, Orange (News - Alert), Riverside, San Bernardino and Stanislaus.

"Our niche is our ability to serve the elderly with a comprehensive array of value-based benefits that keep them healthy and can improve their overall health status. One such benefit is the SilverSneakers Fitness Program," states Paul Kahen, CEO, Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO.

Using proven methodologies based upon more than 16 years of science and outcomes, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program increases physical activity in older adults, resulting in higher well-being and lower health care costs. Physical activity can reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, may relieve symptoms of depression, helps to maintain independent living, and enhances overall quality of life.

Strength training is recommended as part of a comprehensive physical activity program among older adults and may help to improve balance and decrease rik of falls.¹ SilverSneakers engages participants in more frequent strength training, aerobic, and flexibility exercise through access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults that incorporates social experiences.

"Citizens Choice Healthplan is renowned for its work with diverse communities to promote member health and wellness. By providing the SilverSneakers Fitness Program to their older adult Medicare Advantage members, Citizens Choice is demonstrating their commitment to meeting the diverse needs of their members through a solution designed to enhance the health and well-being of participants," said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. "SilverSneakers is a time-tested, proven program that provides a unique combination of exercise and social support, and Healthways is very proud to partner with Citizens Choice."

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and serves more than 10 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

About Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is ranked in the top three value-based Medicare Advantage Plans surveyed in Los Angeles County. Its zero co-payment benefit and zero premium include no-cost doctor and specialist visits, no-cost inpatient hospital and skilled nursing care, vision and routine hearing testing. Also included are Formulary generic medications, routine physical exams and 15 roundtrip transportation services for health related visits at no cost. Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO serves approximately 13,000 members, 55% of them Hispanic. All member services staff and outreach representatives are bilingual and understand the cultural dynamics of the ethnic and disabled communities they serve.

Citizens Choice Healthplan has also won the Senior Choice Gold Award by Health Metrix Research, an independent research firm that compares MAPD plans across the U.S., for having the best benefits at the lowest out of pocket costs for Medicare Beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) that contracts with the Federal Government to provide services to all eligible for Part A and Part B Medicare recipients. Citizens Choice Healthplan can be reached at (323) 728-7232 or at www.citizenschoicehealth.com.

¹ Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. June 2012.