Healthways, Inc. : HMSA To Offer Healthways SilverSneakers(R) Fitness Program to Eligible Medicare Advantage Members

Agreement Furthers Innovative Collaboration, Brings Fitness Program Access to Akamai Advantage Select Plus Members in Hawaii

HONOLULU & NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan 11, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and Healthways (Nasdaq: HWAY) are offering the award-winning SilverSneakers(R) Fitness Program to HMSA's Medicare Advantage members who select the Akamai Advantage Select Plus plan beginning January 1, 2012. SilverSneakers is the nation's leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy.

"We are excited to offer this terrific program to our Select Plus members," said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. "We are committed to the health and wellness of our members, and SilverSneakers will make it easier for Hawaii's older adults to take control of their health and live a healthier, social and independent lifestyle."

SilverSneakers is the nation's leading fitness solution designed to keep older adults active and healthy. The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1996 and serves 46 clients with nearly 9 million eligible members. The Healthways fitness center network offers convenient access to over 14,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide.

Research demonstrates that SilverSneakers improves the health and well-being of participants through its unique combination of exercise and social support. Independent studies show that plans offering SilverSneakers can experience lower health care costs. A study backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed SilverSneakers helped to lower costs by $500 per member over a two-year period.1

"For 10 years Healthways and HMSA have enjoyed a successful collaboration based on our joint commitment to innovative approaches to improve the health and well-being of its members and our belief that effective integration of services provides significant, real value for those members," said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. "By offering the SilverSneakers program to its Akamai Advantage Select Plus members, HMSA has confirmed this commitment to member well-being while furthering the effective integration of the services we provide through our long-standing partnership."

Earlier this year, HMSA and Healthways announced an agreement transferring HMSA's integrated health management functions and other health and wellness programs to Healthways. The two organizations are working jointly to develop and implement HMSA's statewide patient-centered medical home initiative.

About HMSA

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA isan independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit .

About Healthways

Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall costs. Healthways solutions are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate or eliminate lifestyle risk factors that can lead to disease and optimize care for those with chronic illness. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, Internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network and a national Fitness Center Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit .

SOURCE: Healthways

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