Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I enroll or participate in Be Active Now?
- How does the Be Active Now program work?
- How much does it cost to participate in the Be Active Now program?
- What documents or information do I need when I enroll or sign up to participate?
- What is Active Steps?
- What is a Pedometer?
- Who is eligible for a pedometer?
- How do I order a pedometer?
- How much does a pedometer cost?
- What do I have to do when I go to a fitness facility (YMCA, Senior Center, etc) to enroll?
- Do I need approval from my doctor to participate in the Be Active Now program?
- Can my spouse participate?
- What types of fitness/exercise programs or classes are offered?
- Will more facilities be participating in the Be Active Now program?
- What is Be Active North Carolina?
- How long can I participate in the Be Active Now program?
- Why doesn’t a certain fitness facility (YMCA, Senior Center or other fitness facility) near me participate in the program?
- I am a Blue Medicare PPO memeber. Can I go to a non-contracted ftiness center?
- I am already a member of a fitness program. Will Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO pay me back for my past membership fees or classes?
- Why are Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO providing access to physical activity programs at little or no additional charge?
- Will my premiums go up if I participate?
- What happens if I get sick and can’t make it to the fitness center for a month?
- Will the Be Active Now program pay for a personal trainer?
- Is there someone at Be Active North Carolina, Inc. I can speak with about this program?
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Q: How do I enroll or participate in Be Active Now?
A: If you want to participate in a fitness center program, select a participating Be Active Now facility from the list. Call or visit the facility. A member of their staff will be able to assist you with enrollment into the program. Participation and program offerings vary by facility. For a list of contracted facilities click here.
If you want to participate in the Active Steps walking program, you can order a pedometer and receive instructions on how to start a self-directed walking program by simply calling 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or clicking here.
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Q: How does the Be Active Now program work?
A: Be Active Now is a voluntary physical activity program that can help you maintain your physical and mental health. Please check with your doctor to make sure that you can participate in physical activity, before starting this or any other physical activity program.
Be Active Now offers a self-directed walking program and access to a variety of physical activity/fitness programs at contracted fitness facilities.
The Active Steps self-directed walking program works anywhere that walking is safe, such as at the park, around a track, or the mall. You can participate in the Active Steps walking program and begin the walking program wherever and whenever you wish. Active Steps participants can use pedometers to keep track of their steps as they take regular walks.
For the most up-to-date list of contracted facilities please call PARTNERS Customer Service Department from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily at 1-888-310-4110 (HMO)/ 1-877-494-7647 (PPO)/ (TTY/TDD users call 1-888-451-9957) or click here. You can call or visit the facility to learn more about the specific exercise and fitness classes/programs offered. Programs and classes may vary from site to site (this means the exercise classes available at the YMCA could be different than the exercise classes available at the senior center). Be Active Now has partnered with participating fitness centers in your community to provide fitness center memberships at little or no additional charge as long as you meet certain requirements.
Participation requirements:
- Provide proof of Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO membership
- Provide a current state-issued photo ID
- Participate and/or visit the facility at least once per month to continue in the program.
- Maintain membership in a Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO plan.
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Q: How much does it cost to participate in the Be Active Now program?
A: Active Steps- All members are eligible to receive pedometers at no additional cost (one per member). To order a pedometer call 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or click here.
Fitness Center Memberships - There is little or no additional cost to participate in this program as long as you meet certain requirements. Contact the contracted fitness center you are interested in joining about membership cost. (Click here for a list of contracted facilities).
Participation Requirements:
- You must have a current state-issued photo ID card (i.e. driver license or a photo ID)
- You must have a current Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO membership
- You must participate and/or visit the facility at least once per month to continue in the program.
- You must maintain your Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO membership.
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Q: What documents or information do I need when I enroll or sign up to participate?
A: You need to take your Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO ID card and a state-issued ID card (driver license or ID card) when you go to the fitness center to enroll.
To participate in Active Steps and to order a pedometer you can call 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669). Please be ready to provide your name, member information, address and phone number. You can also order a pedometer by completing an online form by clicking here.
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Q: What is Active Steps?
A: Active Steps is a self-directed, pedometer-based walking program. You set your own steps and walking goals.
- Tracking your steps can be done with a written log that comes with the pedometer or online at Active Steps.
- For more information about Active Steps, please call a program representative at 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or send an email to Be Active Now.
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Q: What is a pedometer?
A: A pedometer is an electronic, portable device, which counts each step you take.
- Also commonly referred to as “movement motivators” among health and physical activity experts, these tools help encourage activity.
- To order a pedometer call 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or click here.
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Q: Who is eligible for a pedometer?
A: ALL Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO members.
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Q: How do I order a pedometer?
A: You can order pedometers by calling 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or click here.
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Q: How much does a pedometer cost?
A: Every interested member may receive a pedometer at no additional cost. Limit one pedometer per member. For more information about Active Steps or to order a pedometer please call 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or click here.
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What do I have to do when I go to a fitness facility (YMCA, Senior Center, etc) to enroll?
A: Once you arrive at a participating facility, you can ask a staff member about Be Active Now and say you are a Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO member. From there, the staff member will ask you to complete an enrollment or participation packet. Once you’ve completed the enrollment/participation process, the staff member will direct you from there. You will need to provide proof of your Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO membership and present a state- issued photo ID.
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Q: Do I need approval from my doctor to participate in the Be Active Now program?
A: It is recommended that you to talk to your doctor before starting a physical activity program to determine what is best for you and your individual health concerns. Contracted facilities may have specific requirements for participation. You are encouraged to call the facility for more information.
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Q: Can my spouse participate?
A: Your spouse can participate if he/she is a current Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO member.
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Q: What types of fitness/exercise programs or classes are offered?
A: Each contracted facility has a variety of fitness and exercise classes. Examples of fitness classes that might be offered include water aerobics, yoga or line dancing. However, to find out about specific exercise/fitness programs and classes, you will need to call or visit the contracted facility of your choice.
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Q: Will more facilities be participating in the Be Active Now program?
A: Yes. We are continually seeking to add more qualified facilities. For the most up-to-date list of contracted facilities call PARTNERS Customer Services Department from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily at 1-888-310-4110 (HMO)/ 1-877-494-7647 (PPO)/ (TTY/TDD users call 1-888-451-9957) or visit the Be Active Now Facilities' web page by clicking here.
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Q: What is Be Active North Carolina?
A: Be Active North Carolina, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, based in Morrisville, NC, dedicated to improving the health of all North Carolinians. Its mission is to increase the physical activity levels and healthy lifestyles of all North Carolinians through people, programs and policies. Be Active North Carolina, Inc. is an independent company that administers this program for PARTNERS' Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO plans.
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Q: How long can I participate in the Be Active Now program?
A: You can participate in the Be Active Now program as long as you are a Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO member and as long as Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO offer this program to its members.
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Q: Why doesn’t a certain fitness facility (YMCA, senior center or other fitness facility) near me participate in the program?
A: The fitness facilities near you are encouraged to participate. You are welcome to encourage your fitness facility to participate in the Be Active Now program. Direct the facility to the "Contracted Facilities" page on the Be Active Now website. This page contains directions for fitness facilities interested in becoming a participating facility with Be Active Now.
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Q: I am a Blue Medicare PPO member. Can I go to a non-contracted fitness facility?
A: As a Blue Medicare PPO member, you can enroll in a fitness/exercise program at certain non-contracted fitness facilities; however, the fitness facility/exercise program must meet certain qualification standards. Interested members please click here to obtain a Non-Contracting Fitness Center Eligibility Evaluation Form. This form must be completed in its entirety and submitted to BCBSNC for review. Authorization must be obtained prior to payment to any non-contracted facility. Retroactive authorizations or payments will not be made.
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Q: I am already a member of a fitness program. Will Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO pay me back for my past membership fees or classes?
A: No, we will only contribute to the cost of your membership and classes at certain, qualified facilities after you enroll in Be Active Now and only for as long as you are enrolled in a Blue Medicare HMO or Blue Medicare PPO plan.
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Q: Why are Blue Medicare HMO and Blue Medicare PPO providing access to physical activity programs at little or no additional charge?
A: We recognize that physical activity is an essential element for the health and well-being of everyone. We are offering the Be Active Now program to provide you with opportunities to participate in a variety of fitness and exercise activities to encourage a healthier, more active life.
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Q: Will my premiums go up if I participate?
A: No, your premiums will not go up based on your participation in this program.
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Q: What happens if I get sick and can’t make it to the fitness facility for a month?
A: Your membership will be put on hold for the month you are sick. If you are participating in a class that is ongoing, you will simply miss that month of classes. You may have the option to make up missed classes or to join the class that’s already started. It’s best to check with the facility that is offering the class. For a list of contracted facilities click here.
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Q: Will the Be Active Now program pay for a personal trainer?
A: At this time, the program does not pay for a personal trainer; however, the fitness instructors and staff members at each facility are very knowledgeable about exercise and fitness and will likely be able to answer any questions you may have about using the exercise equipment or what exercises are appropriate for you.
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Q: Is there someone at Be Active North Carolina, Inc. I can speak with about this program?
A: To speak to a program representative at Be Active North Carolina, Inc., please call 1-888-6 FIT NOW (1-888-634-8669) or you can e-mail a program representative.
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