Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama will discontinue its Medicare fitness benefit effective Jan. 1, 2026. The move follows a transition in 2024 from the SilverSneakers program to a FlexCard fitness allowance, which the insurer said saw low utilization.
A spokesperson noted that maintaining the benefit contributed to higher costs that affect all members, and the change allows BCBS to focus on medical services used by the broadest number of members, helping keep premiums and out-of-pocket costs stable.
Although the fitness allowance is ending, BCBS of Alabama’s Blue365 program will continue to offer discounts on gym memberships.
Resource: BCBS of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries to lose fitness benefit