Regence to Offer Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to Medigap Members in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY and NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Regence is now offering the award-winning Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to its Medigap members in Utah. SilverSneakers, the nation's leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, is available to Regence Medigap members at no additional cost.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical activity is essential to healthy aging.  Further information from the CDC states that exercise not only helps strengthen muscles in older adults, but it can also prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with aging[1]. Using proven methodologies based upon more than 17 years of science and outcomes, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program increases physical activity in older adults, resulting in higher well-being and lower health care costs.

"Regence is committed to improving the health of our members at any age or fitness level. Our experience with wellness programs has shown that a more physically active lifestyle can make a measurable difference in our members' overall health and well-being. We believe our Medigap members will enjoy the benefits of the SilverSneakers 'fitness, friends and fun' model and most importantly, they will reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle," said Lisa Brubaker, Senior Vice President of Government Programs for Regence.

SilverSneakers engages participants in more frequent strength training, aerobic, and flexibility exercise through access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults that incorporates social experiences. The SilverSneakers fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 11,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. In addition to the national network, Regence members in Utah will also have access to 121 fitness and wellness facilities statewide.  

"While regular exercise is a crucial part of healthy living for people of all ages, it is particularly effective in preventing or managing chronic diseases for older adults," said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to partnering with Regence to provide this time-tested program to their Medigap members in Utah."

More information on the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, including a list of available fitness location, is available at www.silversneakers.com.

About Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is a leading health plan in Utah, with more than 330,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and is affiliated with Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Together, the companies serve more than two million members in the Northwest/Intermountain Region. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities, and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit http://www.regence.com/UT.

About Healthways
Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant's health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs.  Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 45 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.healthways.com or www.silversneakers.com.

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html

SOURCE Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah