February is Heart Health Month. Your Independence Medicare Advantage patients can use their FREE SilverSneakers^® benefit to adopt heart-healthy lifestyle changes, starting today!

In October 1999, William V. had a quadruple by-pass surgery. He was 67 years old. His cardiac nurse told him it was imperative to his health that he make a lifelong commitment to good nutrition and exercise. William took that advice and, at 85 years old, has never looked back.

"I made a pact with myself to exercise. I go to the YMCA five days a week for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. I spend time on the treadmill, elliptical, and bicycle for an hour. I work out in the weight room for an hour," William says. He also eats healthier, limiting red meat, and choosing lean meats and fish instead. "My motivation is to extend my life," explains William, who has been a SilverSneakers member for 17 years.

Would William's story inspire your patients to follow your advice on heart-healthy behaviors? His story is just one of many inspiring SilverSneakers testimonials about people turning their health around through fitness. Telling patients what's good for their health and their hearts is easy ? getting them to follow that advice is another story. Sometimes real stories, like William's, from a trusted medical professional like you resonate more than anything else.

Because it's American Heart Month, February is a great time to revisit heart health with your patients. You've told them heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. You've reassured them that it's not a normal part of aging, and it isn't inevitable, even if it runs in the family. You've even explained all the ways they can reduce their risk factors. Now you can "prescribe" a fitness program that will help them put all that good advice into action.

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading fitness program for seniors. It is available at no additional cost beyond their plan premium to Keystone 65 Select HMO, Keystone 65 Preferred HMO, Keystone 65 Focus Rx HMO, Keystone 65 Basic HMO, and Personal Choice 65^SM PPO members. The SilverSneakers benefit includes:

• certified instructors who specialize in senior fitness
• group classes designed for all levels – including six signature classes
• fitness articles, recipes, and meal plans
• an active and supportive online community
• access to thousands of fitness locations nationwide
• weights, pools, and cardio-equipment access (varies by location)

SilverSneakers works. In fact, 94 percent of SilverSneakers participants report good, very good, or excellent health.¹ It has had a proven impact on members' physical and emotional health. Participants are significantly less likely to be hospitalized², members with diabetes have even greater reductions in the risk of hospitalization³, and the risk of depression is reduced after the first year of active participation⁴. And, as you know, regular exercise can lead to healthier hearts, which helps reduce the risk of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Have a heart-to-heart with your patients about how SilverSneakers can improve their hearts today!

Your Independence Medicare Advantage patients already have the SilverSneakers benefit. Encourage them to use it this month – as a gift from and for the heart. They can get started by visiting SilverSneakers.com or by calling 1-888-423-4632.

¹SilverSneakers 2015 Annual Member Survey.
²Nguyen HQ, Koepsell T, Unutzer J, Larson E, and LoGerfo J. Depression and Use of a Health Plan-Sponsored Physical Activity Program by Older Adults. Am J Prev Med. 2008. 35(2): 111?117. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2496994/.
³Nguyen Q, Ackermann RT, Maciejewski M, Berke E, Patrick M, Williams B and LoGerfo JP. Managed-Medicare Health Club Benefit and Reduced Health Care Costs Among Older Adults. Prev Chronic Dis. 2008. 5(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18082003.
⁴Nguyen HQ, Maciejewski M, Gao S, Lin E, William, B, LoGerfo JP. Health Care Use and Costs Associated with Use of a Health Club Membership Benefit in Older Adults with Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008. 31(8): 1562-1567. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2494648/.

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