Agreement Provides Access to Nation’s Leading Fitness Program for Older Adults

FARMINGTON, Conn. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2013-- As part of its mission to provide the highest quality service and improve the health status of its members, ConnectiCare today announced a three-year partnership with well-being improvement leader Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program. SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, is available to eligible members of select ConnectiCare VIP Medicare Advantage plans beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

“ConnectiCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our members. We recognize the importance of maintaining active lives, both mentally and physically, particularly as one gets older, and we are proud to offer this benefit to our members. Like preventive services covered by ConnectiCare that are above and beyond what you receive under Original Medicare, this is yet another great example of our commitment to helping our members stay healthy,” said Tony Tedeschi, ConnectiCare’s Vice President of Medicare Programs.

Using proven methodologies based upon more than 16 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. Physical activity can reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, may relieve symptoms of depression, helps to maintain independent living, and enhances overall quality of life.

Strength training is recommended as part of a comprehensive physical activity program among older adults and may help to improve balance and decrease risk of falls.¹ SilverSneakers engages participants in more frequent strength training and aerobic and flexibility exercises through access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults that incorporates physical fitness and social experiences.

“By providing the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, ConnectiCare is demonstrating its commitment to meeting the needs of its members through a solution designed to enhance the health and well-being of participants,” said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to partnering with ConnectiCare to provide this time-tested, proven program to their older-adult Medicare Advantage members."

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and is available to more than 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to more than 15,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

About ConnectiCare

ConnectiCare is a health plan based in Farmington, Connecticut, and a subsidiary of EmblemHealth. ConnectiCare has a full offering of products for businesses, municipalities, individuals and those who are Medicare-eligible. ConnectiCare is ranked in the top ten percent of health plans in the nation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). A local company, ConnectiCare maintains all operations and 550 employees in Farmington, CT. Visit our website: www.ConnectiCare.com.

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 40 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.healthways.com or www.silversneakers.com.

¹ Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. June 2012.

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Source: Healthways and ConnectiCare

Duby McDowell Communications
Stephen Jewett, 860-985-8003
jewett@dubymcdowell.com
or
Healthways
Chip Wochomurka, 615-614-4493
chip.wochomurka@healthways.com