So, I'm seeing all those ads from insurance companies wanting Medicare accounts.

[hedgehog]

Lots of the ads are all about how the insurance will pay for gym fees so the person can stay healthy. This raises a number of questions:

How many people who sign up actually join a gym? Of those, how many are still going to the gym two months later?

Of the people going to the gym, how many see improvements in their health; such as better control of blood sugar or lower blood pressure?

Of the people going to the gym, how many were pretty healthy for their age beforehand, either because of good luck in the genetic lottery and/or taking care of their health for year?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Insurance companies need to provide healthcare in hospitals and with doctors -

and stop the gym offer bullshit.

[hedgehog]

4. Well, the theory seems to be to keep people healthier longer. I hope

people realize that everyone dies eventually. But, for example, if you get people into the right classes, do you prevent falls? It may be that this is a good idea, but poorly carried out.

Here's another way to phrase the question: was my mother inactive because she was frail, or was she frail because she was inactive? I myself was very inactive over the summer, but recently got put on the right medication for a chronic problem and find myself doing much more now.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. True. They only provide whatever is cheapest to them. Not what's good for the patient nt

[hedgehog]

6. Well, if the exercise can keep the person living independently

for a longer time, both patient and bottom line are helped. I'm leaning to the opinion it's a good idea, but that few people actually follow through on the deal and/or that the people who follow through are already pretty active.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. I think people who are ill and debilitated, cannot merely be offered 'exercise.'

There needs to be much more. The French medical health care system is a model of that. They do whatever is appropriate, and/or required for the individual.

[anamandujano]

7. Along with a few other things like eating healthy, the gym

can keep people away from doctors and hospitals. By the time you get to a hospital you are, for the most part, screwed.

[anamandujano]

2. My first thought when I saw your title

was that those seeking to limit funds for Medicare are also those in cahoots with insurance companies who want these funds.

Any idea what the game is here?

I think the gym offering is a pretty good idea.

[hedgehog]

3. the gym membership sounds like a good idea; I'm thinking any physical

activity is good and just getting out and being with people helps. I am wondering if anyone has actual proof or if any significant number of people actually take advantage.

[crunch60]

8. People can't always make it to the gym, so

good idea to have a couple of pieces of equipment at home. I have a push/pull type of bike, ski type piece, little stair stepper, and most important, I turn on my I-pod and dance my butt off for about 20 min. Exercise every other day for 45 min. Mind and body needs to stay busy. :hippie:

[recoveringrepublican]

10. My YMCA is filled with seniors of all different weights and abilities.

I am a SAHM and go during the early morning. It is hard to get a tread mill, bike, (though the Arc Trainers and elliptical machines are usually free) or weight machines (Free weights are yours for the taking) because so many seniors are using them. The local Y works with Humana and has lots of programs for seniors of varying abilities. Then at 12 they have potluck. My 3-year-old loves it, lots of attention. Probably once a week I see a new senior (or senior couple) taking a tour. If you use the pool in the AM you will see George leading some kind of aqua aerobics with 15 (at the minimum) senior women and a couple of men (lol, George is a pretty handsome 50-year-old)

I don't know the answer to your question, but from what I see at the Y, at the very least, there are about 25 every day getting 30 minutes minimum of exercise. Can this be bad in any way?

[hedgehog]

11. I guess what I'm wondering is if the gym fees are a sort of bait-and-switch -

in the sense that a lot of people sign up thinking they will participate, but they don't. One way or another, it's saving the insurance company money either by keeping people in better health and/or by luring customers who never use the benefit.

[Worried senior]

12. We were offered a plan like that

and turned it down. We live 60 miles round trip from any gym in our area. How often do you think we could afford to go, living on SS and a very small pension.

If they want to offer something useful, offer eye care and dental care not a program that very few people would actually use.

They may have lower premiums than the regular supplemental plans but they make up for it in member co-pays and deductibles unless you never have to see the dr. or get sick and would end up costing more in the long run.

I am afraid that at some point it will cost too much for the supplemental insurance and we'll be forced on one of the Medicare advantage plans. I am not looking forward to that day.