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Healthways SilverSneakers(R) Fitness Program Proven to Reduce Healthcare Costs

Posted on: Tuesday, 4 March 2008, 12:00 CST

Older adults who participate in the Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) SilverSneakers® Fitness Program visit their primary and specialty physicians more often, are admitted to the hospital less often and have lower overall healthcare costs, according to a new study in Preventing Chronic Disease, a peer-reviewed journal published by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

The study, "Managed-Medicare Health Club Benefit and Reduced Health Care Costs Among Older Adults," was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and conducted by Group Health and the University of Washington (UW). Researchers studied nearly 5,000 SilverSneakers participants over a two-year period. Participants' healthcare costs were compared to those of a control group of more than 9,000 people of the same age and gender who were not taking part in this physical activity program. The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/jan/07_0148.htm.

Key conclusions from the study include:

Reduced healthcare costs -- SilverSneakers participants tracked through the study had significantly lower total adjusted healthcare costs, saving an average of $500 compared with a control group that did not participate in the SilverSneakers program.

Cost savings increase with increased usage -- SilverSneakers participants who averaged at least two fitness center visits per week over two years incurred at least $1,252 less in healthcare costs in year 2 than did those who visited less than once per week on average. The savings were even more pronounced among those who visited more than twice a week.

Increased preventive care -- Preventive care is highly correlated to the SilverSneakers program. Participants had higher outpatient primary and specialty care visits, but fewer inpatient admissions than the control group.

Effective retention for long-term benefits -- SilverSneakers has a high retention rate, with approximately 61 percent of participants extending fitness center and YMCA membership into the second year.

Commenting on the results, Healthways president and CEO Ben R. Leedle, Jr. said, "We are delighted that, once again, credible third parties have validated the fact that our programs deliver on our value proposition of improved health and reduced cost of healthcare. This study demonstrates again that well-designed, well-implemented and well-executed programs work."

Developed in 1992, SilverSneakers is the nation's leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults. It offers an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programming that allows older adults to take greater control of their health. The unique program is available at no additional cost to eligible Medicare members and is currently offered in 49 states at more than 2,800 participating fitness centers, YMCAs and other health and wellness centers across the nation. Physical activity can benefit older adults by improving mobility, promoting heart health and preventing the onset of diabetes.

The study's lead author, Dr. Huong Q. Nguyen, assistant professor of biobehavioral nursing systems at UW, says the study shows older adults should be physically active in order to improve their quality of life and cut down on unexpected healthcare costs. Programs like SilverSneakers are especially valuable for older adults on fixed incomes, Nguyen says, and more health plans should develop an infrastructure to support and encourage active lifestyles for older adults.

"Healthways is honored to have been chosen as the focus of this research," said Healthways Senior Vice President Steve Lindstrom. "We are motivated to create a healthier world, and SilverSneakers provides a support system for older adults to lead an active life. This study is further evidence of the strong correlation between physical activity and improved health and decreased healthcare costs for older adults. It is our hope that this study will help open the door to even greater access to such programs for the millions more who could benefit from them."

Nguyen and the study's co-author, UW professor Dr. James LoGerfo, collaborated with colleagues at Indiana University, Veterans Affairs, University of North Carolina, Dartmouth Medical School and the U.S. Army. The study was conducted jointly by Group Health and the UW's Health Promotion Research Center, with funding from the CDC and Group Health.

About Healthways

Healthways, Inc. is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and, as a result, reduce overall healthcare costs. Healthways' solutions are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.healthways.com. For more information on SilverSneakers, call 480.783.9555 or visit www.silversneakers.com

About Preventing Chronic Disease

Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed electronic journal established to provide a forum for public health researchers and practitioners to share study results and practical experience. The journal is published by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, one of eight centers within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source: Business Wire

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