According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes. These are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs.

The evidence is clear — physical activity fosters normal growth and development, can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, and can make people feel better, function better, and sleep better. Some health benefits start immediately after activity, and even short bouts of physical activity are beneficial.

SWSCHP’s mission is to promote your good health…and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner. Expanding your benefits to include fitness forward opportunities will, over time, create a healthier SWSCHP membership. And a healthier membership results in a more cost-effective plan for your employers and for you.

Wellness Benefits for Actively-Employed Members

SWSCHP is pleased to announce its association with GlobalFit, a premier provider of wellness solutions and services to Fortune 1000 companies and insurance providers like SWSCHP. GlobalFit’s Gym Network 360 provides access to elite nutrition, fitness, and health products with a focus on the essential components of wellness: Exercise, Eating, and Education. Through the SWSCHP-GlobalFit partnership, you will have access to discounted gym memberships and specialty studios, discounted exercise/tracker equipment, and discounted nutrition/diet programs. Begin today by activating your account.

Using this partnership to its fullest means our members get discounted access to:

• National and regional gym chains

• Specialty studios including yoga, barre, Pilates, and boxing

• Wearable activity trackers

• At-home exercise equipment

• Virtual (online) fitness programs

• Many nutrition and weight-loss programs

Active members can also avail themselves of additional wellness-related discounts through Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, our health insurance provider. Simply log in to your BCBS account and select the ‘Discounts’ tab to gain access to a host of discounted benefits, including:

• Vision and hearing services and products

• Fitness services and products

• Self-help programs for weight loss, stress reduction, and smoking cessation

Wellness Benefits: Medicare-Eligible Retiree Members

Silver Sneakers is available for all SWSCHP retiree members who are Medicare-eligible! There are more than 15,000 fitness locations in the United States that participate in the Silver Sneakers program, which provides these members with gym access at no cost, and you can even use more than one fitness provider! (Note: if you have retired but are not yet Medicare-eligible, you cannot participate in the Silver Sneakers program).

All of the basic gym amenities are provided at Silver Sneakers participating locations, which also typically include group exercise classes that are focused specifically on the needs of retirees. In addition, Silver Sneakers FLEX classes offer tai chi, yoga, walking groups, and other programs at local parks, recreation centers, and adult living communities (not available in all states). And if you prefer to work out at home, a library of on-demand programs is available for your use. The Silver Sneakers Go! App allows you to customize and track your fitness regimen and offers a wide range of programs and services:

• Learn new exercises

• Adjust exercises to your comfort level

• Take part in 4- or 12-week programs: Strength, Walking, Meditation

• Schedule activities like your favorite class, gym visits

• Get mobile notifications to stay on track

• Access your membership card and ID number

• Track your weekly and monthly progress

  Other Benefits for Retirees