Posted August 06, 2025 by Anupreet Kaur, M.D., FAAFP, Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
There are lots of benefits to be had as a member on SummaCare’s Medicare Advantage plans. From plans with low premiums to comprehensive medical and dental benefits to Silver Sneakers gym memberships that keep you in shape, the perks abound. But one perk you may not be as familiar with is BrainHQ.
Developed by an international team of neuroscientists, BrainHQ is an interactive, online brain training program that allows you to exercise your cognitive abilities including memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation. As we age, our cognitive abilities can decline. BrainHQ allows you to flip the script, giving your brain a BIG boost with science-backed brain exercises that can be personalized in unique ways just for you!
But it’s more than fun and games here. According to the World Health Organization, BrainHQ “can reduce the risk of cognitive decline or dementia” for older adults with notable protective and preventive effects. Well worth a few extra minutes spent exercising your noggin’s largest organ—if you ask us!
So, let’s get down to the details by answering a few commonly asked questions:
Dr. Michael Merzenich, a professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, and the chief science officer of Posit Science, is considered BrainHQ’s primary inventor. He’s been a leading figure in brain plasticity (or retraining your brain) for nearly five decades.
BrainHQ is designed to work using brain plasticity. That’s the process by which your brain physically changes through learning, experience and training.
BrainHQ has been proven to rewire the brain, improving brain activation, timing and connectivity between different brain regions.
Exercises can lead to significant improvements in brain speed, memory and attention—with research from the related IMPACT Study showing an increase in auditory processing speed of 135%!
There’s too many to list here, but we’ll give a quick (but limited) run-down, regardless. Members enjoy:
BrainHQ exercises adapt to YOU. The program flexes according to your needs, adjusting the difficulty of brain-training exercises based on your performance, so you stay challenged. For instance, if you’re performing well on one type of exercise, BrainHQ adjusts to make the exercise more challenging. Or, if you’re starting to struggle, the program eases up to accommodate your personal skill level.
SummaCare members can register for a ten-week online brain health class where they can learn about memory and work with BrainHQ’s fantastic brain health coaches. These are great opportunities for members to meet "like-minded" individuals and socialize.
Included at no added cost on most SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans, BrainHQ, just like our Medicare Advantage plans is designed to prioritize you with a carefully created program custom tailored to keep your brain at its healthiest (BrainHQ is not available on Topaz (HMO)).*
SummaCare members can also register for a ten-week online brain health class where they can learn about memory and work with fantastic brain health coaches. It’s the ideal time to meet "like-minded" individuals and socialize.
Members who are registered in BrainHQ can also choose to participate in monthly webinars, which can be viewed and registered for at https://www.brainhq.com/why-brainhq/brainhq-webinars/.
Or register for a ten-week online brain health class to learn about memory and work with BrainHQ’s fantastic brain health coaches. It’s a great opportunity for members to meet "like-minded" individuals and socialize. Or call BrainHQ directly at <877-848-2505 (TTY 711)>.
To learn more about BrainHQ or the many additional health and wellness benefits you can enjoy as a SummaCare Medicare Advantage member, visit <summacare.com.>
Author:
Anupreet Kaur, M.D., FAAFP, Medical Director, Care Management and Population Health
*BrainHQ is not available on the Topaz (HMO) plan. For the Jade plan, the Bene-Flex option must be selected. Benefits may vary based on plan selected and county availability.
SummaCare is an HMO and HMO-POS plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SummaCare depends on contract renewal. Material ID: H3660_SC1849_C 07152025.