SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Health services organization American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) announced that HealthPartners has selected its Silver&Fit exercise and healthy aging program for its Medicare plan members, effective January 1, 2012.
The Silver&Fit program offers memberships at one of more than 11,000 participating fitness clubs and exercise facilities. Their Silver&Fit membership includes all of the standard amenities offered by that club's standard membership, such as access to weight equipment, cardiovascular equipment, and where available, pools, saunas, and whirlpool facilities.
Medicare members who are not able to participate at the fitness club or simply prefer to work out at home may participate instead in the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program. Upon enrollment, members receive a home fitness kit that may focus on strength and exercise, walking, aqua aerobics, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, dance, or stress management. Each kit includes tools to help members perform exercises at home. Members can also access e-coaching courses on SilverandFit.com.
All Silver&Fit members receive The Silver Slate® quarterly newsletter, access to the SilverandFit.com website, and a toll-free hotline to provide information and answer questions about the program.
The Silver&Fit program was developed to assist Medicare beneficiaries in beginning or continuing a regular exercise program. Regular exercise has shown to be an important element in preventing some medical conditions, including high blood pressure and heart and lung disease. Cardiovascular and strength training can also help seniors improve their balance and become more flexible, preventing common slips and falls and speeding up the recovery period from such injuries. Access to the network of exercise facilities is provided through ASH subsidiary American Specialty Health Systems, Inc.
"American Specialty Health and Silver&Fit are honored to work with HealthPartners to provide an exercise and healthy aging program for their Medicare membership," said George DeVries, chairman and CEO of ASH. "We look forward to serving HealthPartners members and providing an opportunity for many to improve their health and fitness."
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (http://www.healthpartners.com/">www.healthpartners.com) family of health care companies serves more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. HealthPartners is the top-ranked commercial health plan in Minnesota and is also ranked 19th in the nation according to NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-11 - private.
About Silver&Fit and American Specialty Health (ASH)
The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). ASH is a national health services organization that provides a total population health management program, specialty network management programs, and fitness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 800 employees and serves over 25.9 million members. For more information, visit SilverandFit.com or ASHCompanies.com, or call 1-800-848-3555.