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.

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.