Health Benefits

Did You Know Your Medicare Health Plan Includes These Perks?

Multiracial women doing yoga exercise with social distance for coronavirus outbreak at park outdoor - Healthy lifestyle and sport concept

Discounts on fitness classes, gym memberships and workout gear, help with back and neck pain, and healthy recipes at your fingertips. These are some of the perks that may be contained in your CalPERS Medicare health plan — and that’s just a sampling.

Maybe you switched health plans during Open Enrollment, or you find yourself wanting to make a greater commitment to your health and well-being this year.

If that’s the case, we’ve compiled a list of low or no-cost health and wellness offerings available to CalPERS health plan members. Below are highlights, as this is not a comprehensive list of all wellness benefits.

Please verify with your health plan whether these specific health and wellness programs are available to you.

Anthem Blue Cross

Relief for Back and Neck Pain — Anthem’s no-cost SpineZone program includes highly trained physical therapists, exercise psychologists, surgeons, and physician assistants who help you avoid surgery and injections to find relief from back and neck pain through exercise, muscle strengthening, and posture training — at no extra cost.

SilverSneakers Program — If you’re enrolled in the Anthem PPO Supplement to Medicare plan, or Anthem Medicare Preferred plan, you can join SilverSneakers, a fitness program for those who are 65 and older. You have unlimited access to participating gyms and fitness centers, as well as yoga and dance classes that are led by certified instructors. To learn more or see if you’re eligible, visit SilverSneakers.

Help With Both Surgical and Nonsurgical Options — If you or a family member have questions about treatment options or an upcoming surgery, Anthem’s Welvie helps you explore both surgical and nonsurgical options, make informed decisions about treatment and, if necessary, prepare for surgery and recovery.

Blue Shield of California

Fitness and Social ActivitiesTake advantage of hundreds of fitness clubs and classes such as yoga, tai chi, Latin dance, in addition to social events and activities — at no cost to you through SilverSneakers programs. To sign up or see if you’re eligible, visit SilverSneakers and create an account. 

Medical Alert Monitoring System — Feel secure and enjoy peace of mind and independence 24/7 with LifeStation’s in-home or mobile device monitoring services, whether at home, running errands, or traveling.

Kaiser Permanente

ClassPass — The popular fitness membership program ClassPass is available at no cost or a discounted rate, depending on the plan you choose. You can access virtual and in-person fitness and exercise classes, including yoga, dance, cardio, boxing, Pilates, and more.

Self-Care Apps — Download Calm, myStrength, and Headspace Care (formerly Ginger) at no cost to support your mental health and emotional well-being. While each app has a different focus and format, they’re designed to help you improve sleep, develop self-care skills, and guide you through meditations provided by world-renowned teachers and thought leaders.

Sharp Health Plan

Wellness Incentive — You can earn a $150 reward by participating in a six-week program that includes completion of online learning activities or telephonic personal health coaching program that focuses on a health issue of your choice.

Discount to Fitness Centers — Access an easy-to-use fitness center network for a low monthly fee through Your Best Health. Benefits also include activity tracking and unlimited digital video workouts.

UnitedHealthcare

Free Gym Membership — You can take advantage of an easy-to-use fitness center network including YMCA, LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness for free through Renew Active.

Let’s Move Wellness Program — Learn more about the importance of nutrition, physical activity, mental health, social and caregiver well-being, and financial fitness. Take advantage of virtual cooking demonstrations, recipes, wellness challenges, strategies for financial well-being, and volunteer opportunities at no additional cost at Let’s Move by UHC.

Western Health Advantage

Free Fitness Memberships — You have access to local and national fitness clubs, home fitness kits, digital workout gear, and more at no additional cost through Western Health Advantage’s MyCareFitness.

Healthy Recipes — The benefits of eating healthy, coupled with physical activity, include improved emotional well-being and healthy weight management. Other benefits of eating whole, homemade foods include decreased risk for and treatment of infections and disease, and lengthened longevity.