Silver&Fit vs SilverSneakers: How the Senior Fitness Programs Compare
Reviewed September 29, 2026. Silver&Fit and SilverSneakers are senior fitness programs that some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans include as an extra benefit, usually at no added cost to members. Silver&Fit is run by American Specialty Health, and SilverSneakers is a separate program with its own gym network. Which one you can use depends entirely on your health plan, because Original Medicare doesn’t cover gym memberships or fitness programs.
Quick answer: You don’t choose between Silver&Fit and SilverSneakers directly. You choose a Medicare plan, and the plan decides which fitness program (if any) it offers. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage, or use each program’s online eligibility checker.
What is the Silver&Fit program?
Silver&Fit is a fitness and healthy-aging program from American Specialty Health that health plans offer to eligible members. Depending on the plan, it can include a fitness center membership at participating locations, home fitness kits, and online or on-demand workout videos. Read American Specialty Health’s description of Silver&Fit.
Silver&Fit is available through certain Medicare Advantage plans and some Medicare Supplement and employer group retiree plans. If you want a plan that includes it, see our step-by-step guide on how to find and enroll in a Medicare plan that includes Silver&Fit.
What is SilverSneakers?
SilverSneakers is a separate senior fitness program with its own network of participating gyms, community classes and online workouts. Like Silver&Fit, it’s offered through participating Medicare Advantage plans, some Medicare Supplement plans and some group retiree plans. SilverSneakers provides an online eligibility checker.
Silver&Fit vs. SilverSneakers at a glance
| Silver&Fit | SilverSneakers | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | American Specialty Health | SilverSneakers (a separate company and gym network) |
| How you get it | Through a participating health plan | Through a participating health plan |
| Covered by Original Medicare? | No | No |
| Typical features | Gym access, home fitness kits, digital workouts (varies by plan) | Gym access, group classes, online workouts (varies by plan) |
| Participating gyms | Check the Silver&Fit location search for your plan | Check the SilverSneakers location search for your plan |
Gym networks change, and the same gym chain may participate in one program but not the other, or only at some locations. Always confirm the specific gym before you enroll in a plan for its fitness benefit.
Does Medicare cover Silver&Fit or SilverSneakers?
Not Original Medicare. Medicare.gov says Original Medicare doesn’t cover gym memberships or fitness programs, but they may be part of the extra coverage offered by Medicare Advantage plans, other Medicare health plans or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. If you have Original Medicare alone, you pay all costs for these services. See Medicare’s gym membership coverage page.
What insurance covers Silver&Fit?
Insurers decide plan by plan and year by year. A carrier might include Silver&Fit in one Medicare Advantage plan, SilverSneakers in another, and its own fitness allowance in a third. Some plans have also replaced these programs with a flexible allowance or card. For carrier examples, see whether Wellcare plans pay for gym memberships and our explainer on Medicare OTC and flex cards.
How to check which program you have
- Look at your plan’s Evidence of Coverage or Summary of Benefits for “fitness,” “Silver&Fit” or “SilverSneakers.”
- Call the member services number on your plan ID card.
- Use the program’s online eligibility checker with your plan information.
- Before you switch plans, confirm the fitness benefit for the new plan year. Benefits can change every January.
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. If a fitness benefit matters to you, add it to your annual Medicare plan review. Military retirees can also read Medicare vs. TRICARE and SilverSneakers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Silver and Fit program?
A senior fitness program from American Specialty Health that some Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and retiree plans include as an extra benefit. It can include gym access, home fitness kits and online workouts.
Is Silver&Fit the same as SilverSneakers?
No. They are separate programs with separate gym networks. Your health plan determines which one, if either, you can use.
Is Silver&Fit free?
When your plan includes it, there’s usually no extra charge for the core program, but some premium gyms or classes may cost more. Check your plan details.
Can I have both Silver&Fit and SilverSneakers?
Only if you had coverage from two different plans that each include one. Most people with a single Medicare Advantage plan have access to one program at most.
This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with Silver&Fit, SilverSneakers or the U.S. government, and program details are set by each health plan.