Note: This article is over 60 days old, and may contain information that is out of date, or has been superseded by newer information.
Whatever your level of fitness, your health may benefit from increased physical activity.
Being physically fit helps you:
- feel better and have more energy
- manage your weight by burning more calories, even when you're at rest
- improve your heart, lungs, bones, and joints
- lower your risk for heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers
How can you be more physically active?
If you're ready to add more physical activity to your life, here are some tips to get you started:
- Make physical activity part of your regular day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk or ride your bike to do errands.
- Start walking. Walking is an easy, safe way to add more activity to your schedule. Track your steps with a pedometer to motivate you to do more.
- Find a partner. Exercising can be more fun with friends, family, or coworkers. You’ll also help to encourage each other to succeed.
- Consider joining a health club. Go to the Health & Fitness page to find out about the $150 reimbursement CHP offers for fitness center memberships.
- Find an activity that you enjoy, and stay with it. Vary it with other activities so you don't get bored.
- Set small, realistic goals to improve your fitness. Write them down. Reward yourself each time you reach a goal.
Talk to your doctor before becoming more active, especially if you haven't been very active or have health problems.
Note: This article is over 60 days old, and may contain information that is out of date, or has been superseded by newer information.
Capital Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans offer wellness benefits that go above and beyond what you’d expect from Original Medicare. We know that preventive services are important to you as Capital Health Plan members, and your wellness is a top priority to us too. That is why we are proud to offer an extensive list of preventive services—some of which are no cost to you.
Although Original Medicare covers one physical when you first become eligible for Medicare, Capital Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans provide you with coverage for one physical exam
year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease is avoidable through known prevention measures. Key measures include practicing a healthy lifestyle (e.g., regular physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use) and the use of early detection practices (e.g., screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, diabetes and its complications, and depression).” Capital Health Plan is pleased to offer our members colorectal screening exams, mammograms (annual screening), prostate cancer screening exams, and bone mass measurements.
Capital Health Plan also offers health and wellness education benefits including written health education materials, nutritional training, a 24-hour nursing hotline, and a health club membership/fitness class reimbursement up to $150 per year. At Capital Health Plan, we strive to provide you with the tools necessary to Live Well!
Sources: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. May 29, 2009. Healthy Aging for Older Adults. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/aging.
Note: This article is over 60 days old, and may contain information that is out of date, or has been superseded by newer information.
What a great exercise incentive! CHP now has more help for your choice to “Live Well.” A
new program for members in 2008 is a $150 reimbursement—per calendar year—for fitness center membership.
Exercise is one of the best health steps you can take. Today, fitness centers offer many options for personal tastes and enjoyment: not only weights and equipment, but yoga, Pilates, jazzercise, swimming, and more. Please check with your physician before starting an exercise program. CHP will reimburse you directly for fees you pay to a health and fitness center. Here’s how the program works.
- To receive a reimbursement, you must be a member of the fitness center for at least four consecutive months. Keep all documentation of your membership and fees.
- Most centers or programs qualify. Exclusions are country or social clubs, spas, gymnastic centers, martial arts studios, tennis facilities, sports teams or leagues, and personal trainers.
- The maximum reimbursement is $150 per calendar year, per household (CHP member or covered dependents). For Medicare members, the maximum reimbursement is $150 per member, per calendar year.
- You file for the reimbursement once per year (no later than March 31 of the following year) and must be a current CHP member when you file. For example, for a membership occurring in 2008, you must file by March 31, 2009.
- Go to Health & Fitness under Live Healthy on the Members tab for required documentation and how to submit it.
Any questions? Please call Member Services at 850-383-3311 or TDD 850-383-3534.
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