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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--As part of its mission to help people achieve better health, Florida Blue, Floridaas Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, today announced a three-year partnership with well-being improvement leader Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) to offer the award-winning SilverSneakers Fitness Program to 50,000 eligible members in Florida.

"Achieving lifelong fitness will help our members in their pursuit of health."

Effective Jan. 1, 2013 SilverSneakers, the nationas leading exercise program designed to keep older adults active and healthy, will be available to members of the Blue Medicare HMO statewide, and members of the Blue Medicare Regional PPO in Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, and Sumter counties.

aAt Florida Blue, we believe that regular physical activity is important for good health, and itas even more important as we age. That is why we have partnered with Healthways to introduce the SilverSneakers Fitness Program to our Medicare members,a stated Elizabeth Strombom, vice president, Medicare Solutions at Florida Blue. aAchieving lifelong fitness will help our members in their pursuit of health.a

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, relieve symptoms of depression, help maintain older adult independent living, and enhance 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, aerobic, and flexibility exercise through access to a variety of venues and programming designed specifically for older adults that incorporates social experiences.

Healthways has a long track record of helping people of all ages and abilities overcome barriers to care.

aHealthways is proud to partner with Florida Blue to improve the health and well-being of its older adult members through the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, providing access to a proven solution that integrates a unique combination of exercise and social support,a said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., Healthways president and chief executive officer. aWe congratulate Florida Blue for offering a program that their members will find to be user-friendly, highly rewarding, and enjoyable.a

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program was founded in 1993 and serves 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 Florida Blue

Florida Blue, Floridaas Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, is a leader in Floridaas health care industry. Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health. Florida Blue has approximately 4 million health care members and covers 15.5 million people in 16 states through its affiliated companies. Florida Blue is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit [ www.FloridaBlue.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 participantas 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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