Gym changes SilverSneakers access

    Murphy – For the last four years, Jim Kennon would visit the gym a few times a week through a membership under the SilverSneakers program provided by his Medicare plan. He would typically warm up on the treadmill, then go outside and run for a few miles.
    As the new year begins, his habits – and those of many other seniors in the area – may be changing.
    On Dec. 3, Murphy Health & Fitness sent Kennon and other SilverSneakers members an email stating that the gym would be offering a weekend-only membership in the new year, and that under their current membership, they would be limited to that weekend membership. If they wished to access the gym seven days a week, the email added that they could upgrade their membership at an introductory rate of $10 per month, which would eventually increase to $14 per month. They would also have to pay an annual fee of $29.99.
    “I just don’t think that’s a very good thing to do to that segment of the population,” Kennon said. “They’re trying to increase revenue and are doing it on the backs of senior citizens.”
    SilverSneakers is a community fitness program provided by health plans for adults ages 65 and older. It gives seniors access to fitness equipment, exercise classes and social networking. It is available through Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement carriers and group retiree plans. Classes are offered for all ability levels.
    SilverSneakers representatives told Kennon that members should be provided access during the gym’s regular hours. However, the statement provided by Jill Meyer from SilverSneakers shows there are limits.
    “Under our agreement with Murphy Health & Fitness, SilverSneakers members should have access to a basic membership and all SilverSneakers classes at no additional costs. We have reached out to the location to better understand their recent membership changes and to ensure that SilverSneakers members aren’t paying unnecessary fees,” the statement reads.
    “We appreciate the partnership with Murphy Health & Fitness and look forward to working with them to help our members improve their health in 2020.”
    According to Murphy Health & Fitness’ website, basic memberships are for weekend-only access to the gym. The gym’s owner, Rodney Morris, was unavailable for comment before the Cherokee Scout’s holiday deadline Sunday.
    The class schedules listed on the gym’s website as of Friday only list SilverSneakers classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, the gym’s Facebook page stated that on Jan. 4, Debbie Thigpen will start teaching SilverSneakers Classic at 10 a.m. Saturdays.
    The gym is open 24 hours a day every day of the week. It is only staffed from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
    In 2016, Ralph Robinson, who was then director of the gym formerly known as the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center, was trying to market the SilverSneakers program. He said participants could use the complete facilities of the center, and although insurance only paid the center for 10 visits a month, participants could use the gym as often as they would like.
    Kennon said he has see a lot of Medicare-age people using the gym on weekdays. He has also seen the gym change practices lately in what appear to be cost-cutting measures, like no longer heating the pool’s dome.
    On Dec. 17, Murphy Health & Fitness sent reminder emails to SilverSneakers participants explaining that they had two weeks to upgrade their membership at the special rate, causing seniors in the program to evaluate their options.
    According to the SilverSneakers website, the program also is accepted at The Compound in Andrews as well as in north Georgia at Union County Senior Center in Blairsville, TheGym at Blairsville, Towns County Senior Center in Hiawassee, The Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in Blue Ridge, TruFitness in Blue Ridge, Fannin County Recreation in Blue Ridge, Bodyplex in Blue Ridge and North Georgia Physical Therapy in Blue Ridge.
    For Kennon, he’ll continue to use Murphy Health & Fitness on Fridays and Sundays to warm up on his basic membership. If he wants to run on a Tuesday or Wednesday, he just won’t stop in the gym first.
    “It’s the principle, it’s not the money,” he said for himself. “I think it’s a bad marketing decision on their part.”