Active @ any age
Seniors can keep working out at most YMCAs — even without Silver Sneakers
Seniors covered by several major health insurance plans can continue to exercise for free at some YMCA branches in the Pittsburgh region even though the YMCA dropped the popular Silver Sneakers program.
UPMC, Highmark and Aetna have reached agreements to give their senior members continued access to six YMCA facilities so they don’t need to switch to other fitness centers.
Those YMCA branches will offer free, specialized senior programming to the individuals who formerly participated in Silver Sneakers, said Greg Swetoha, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
In January, the YMCA said it was discontinuing Silver Sneakers — a free wellness program for individuals age 65 or older — because it had determined reimbursement rates from the program’s Tennessee-based administrator, Tivity Health, were no longer financially sustainable.
YMCA members who used the program were referred to other facilities in their communities that would accept Silver Sneakers.
Pittsburgh-based health giant UPMC last month said it reached a deal with the YMCA so that members covered by the UPMC for Life plan could continue to go to six YMCA branches without charge.
Highmark, also based in Pittsburgh, on Tuesday said it reached a similar agreement for those covered by Highmark Medicare Advantage and Highmark Medigap
Blue Whole Health Balance.
Aetna said it now covers memberships at the branches for its Medicare Advantage members.
YMCA branches that now accept the UPMC, Highmark and Aetna senior customers at no cost are Allegheny, North Side; HomewoodBrushton, Homewood; North Boroughs, Bellevue; Sampson Family, Plum; Thelma Lovette, Hill District; and the U.S. Steel Tower, Downtown.
At two other regional branches — the Spencer Family Y in Bethel Park and the Baierl Family Y in Sewickley — seniors can join at discounted rates, said Mr. Swetoha.
After dropping Silver Sneakers, the YMCA expanded its Active@AnyAge program to provide options for those who formerly used Silver Sneakers, he said.
The YMCA’s offerings for seniors include free wellness consultations, group exercise and yoga classes, education to prevent chronic disease, and social activities including bingo and other games.
“As a mission-driven organization, the YMCA is committed to offering affordable, quality programs for all ages that are accessible across our network,” said Mr. Swetoha. “We’re grateful to have the support of our local health care partners, including area health plans.”
The YMCA has been cutting expenditures since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. It emerged from bankruptcy protection after just two months but closed five regional branches over the summer including the Downtown Y.
The nonprofit negotiated a deal to pay the Downtown Y landlord more than $2.75 million over the next four years and has laid off and consolidated staff at branches and in administration.