SAN DIEGO, Dec. 22, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Specialty Health (ASH), one of the nation's largest personal health improvement companies, announced that it will administer its Silver&Fit senior fitness program to eligible SCAN Health Plan members in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. SCAN is one of the fastest growing Medicare Advantage plans in California.
Upon enrolling in Silver&Fit, SCAN members will receive a no-cost membership at a local participating fitness club. Their Silver&Fit membership will include all of the standard amenities offered by that club's basic membership, such as access to free weights, cardiovascular equipment, and where available, pools, saunas, and whirlpool facilities.
Seniors who are not able to participate at the fitness club -- or who simply prefer to work out at home -- may participate instead in the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program. Upon enrollment, Silver&Fit members will receive an Exercise Kit and a Walking Kit, which include tools to help them perform exercises at home. Home Fitness Program members may receive DVDs or Internet access to a variety of exercise classes, all of which are designed specifically for older adults.
All Silver&Fit members receive The Silver Slate(r), a quarterly newsletter; access to the SilverandFit.com Web site; and a toll-free hotline to provide information and answer questions about the program.
"SCAN is showing its members that fitness is timeless," said ASH chairman, president, and chief executive officer George DeVries. "By providing the Silver&Fit program, SCAN members are able to achieve a better quality of life and overall better health through regular exercise."
"Our mission is -- and has always been -- to support healthy, independent aging," said David Schmidt, chief executive officer of SCAN Health Plan. "Regular physical activity plays a big part in retaining independence and mobility as you get older. Silver&Fit will provide our members with tools and programs to help them succeed in living healthy, independent lifestyles."
Silver&Fit was developed to assist seniors in beginning or continuing a regular exercise program. Regular exercise has shown to be an important element in preventing some medical conditions, including high blood pressure and heart and lung disease. Cardiovascular and strength training can also help seniors improve their balance and become more flexible, preventing common slips and falls and speeding up the recovery period from such injuries. Access to the network of exercise facilities is provided through ASH subsidiary American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. For more information, visit www.SilverandFit.com.
About American Specialty Health
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) provides specialty benefit programs, fitness programs, health coaching and incentives, Internet solutions, and worksite wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. ASH subsidiaries cover 13.4 million members in specialty benefit, fitness, and coaching programs.
ASH has over 600 employees in its San Diego headquarters and regional offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. For more information, visit ASH online at www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.
About SCAN Health Plan
For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of people with Medicare and today is the fourth largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage Plan in the United States. The company currently serves nearly 105,000 members in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura and Kern counties. In Arizona, SCAN offers a health plan for Medicare and Medicaid-eligible individuals, provides long-term care services to individuals enrolled in the state's long-term care system in Maricopa County, and in 2009 will be offering a Medicare Advantage Plan in Maricopa County. Further information may be obtained at www.scanhealthplan.com.