Alyssa Lane
Getting your gym membership covered by your health insurance company is becoming easier. While original Medicare does not cover gym memberships, some Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans do. Many health insurance plans offer incentives that include free gym membership, and some insurance companies offer reimbursements or discounts on gym memberships.
Do you get free gym membership through your medical insurance?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Free gym membership | Some health insurance plans offer free gym memberships. For example, Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active programs. |
| Discounted gym membership | Many health insurance plans offer discounted gym memberships. |
| Reimbursement | Some insurance plans reimburse gym memberships and other fitness-related expenses. |
| Requirements | Some insurance plans require members to work out a minimum number of times per month at approved locations to qualify for reimbursement. |
| Tracking | Some insurance companies require members to track their workouts using a fitness tracker or the insurance company's app. |
| Incentives | Some insurance companies offer incentives such as cash, a free FitBit, or other rewards for reaching health milestones. |
| Medicare | Original Medicare does not cover gym memberships. However, some Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans do offer free or discounted gym memberships. |
| Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | An FSA is a tax-free account that can be used to pay for health-related expenses, including gym memberships, if medically necessary and with a doctor's note. |
| Location | The availability of gym membership benefits through insurance may vary depending on your location. |
| Plan type | The specific plan type you have may determine whether or not you are eligible for gym membership benefits. |
| Age | Some gym membership benefits through insurance are specifically designed for older adults. |
| Insurance company incentives | Insurance companies have a financial incentive to help keep their clients healthy, which may result in more companies offering gym membership benefits in the future. |
| Additional benefits | Some insurance companies offer other health-related benefits, such as monthly gift cards to local grocery stores or free transportation in the community. |
| Wellness visits | Some insurance companies offer gift cards for annual wellness visits. |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans may offer gym memberships or fitness programs as part of their extra coverage. Original Medicare does not cover gym memberships, but some MA plans and Medigap plans do. MA plans are an alternative to Original Medicare and are offered by private insurance companies. These plans may also offer additional services beyond Original Medicare.
MA plans with SilverSneakers combine comprehensive medical coverage with valuable fitness benefits, empowering members to prioritise their physical fitness and enjoy a variety of exercise options. SilverSneakers is designed for adults aged 65 and older and offers community classes and engagement with others who share similar wellness goals. With over 15,000 fitness and community locations across the US, SilverSneakers provides members with convenient access to various amenities.
Medigap plans sometimes cover all or part of gym memberships through programs like Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active. Silver&Fit provides no-cost or low-cost gym access to nearly 5 million Medicare enrollees at more than 18,000 fitness centres across the US. Silver Sneakers membership is free, and it offers drop-in classes at over 15,000 locations. Similarly, Renew Active by UnitedHealthcare includes a gym membership and access to local health and wellness events.
While gym memberships are not typically considered qualified healthcare expenses, they can be important for maintaining and improving overall health and wellness. Insurance companies have an incentive to help their clients afford gym memberships, as it is more cost-effective to keep members healthy than to pay for treatment later. Therefore, it is beneficial to carefully review your insurance plan or options to understand what services are covered or available at a discounted rate.
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Discounted gym memberships
While some health insurance plans offer free gym memberships, others provide discounted gym memberships. These discounted memberships are often offered through incentive programs, which may require you to work out a certain number of times per month or achieve specific health milestones. Many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans offer discounted gym memberships through programs like Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active. Silver&Fit, for example, provides no-cost or low-cost gym membership to over 5 million Medicare enrollees across the US. Similarly, the Silver Sneakers program offers free membership for drop-in classes at over 15,000 community centers and gyms nationwide.
Some insurance companies partner with programs like Active and Fit to offer discounted gym memberships. Additionally, insurance providers may have affiliations with specific gym chains, allowing for discounted rates for their clients. For instance, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey offers a $20 monthly reward for members enrolled in their fitness incentive program, requiring members to work out at least 12 times a month at participating gyms.
It's important to note that original Medicare does not cover gym memberships, but some MA and Medigap plans do. When reviewing health insurance plans, carefully examine the fine print or reach out to the insurance company to understand the specific benefits offered, as they can vary depending on your location and plan type.
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Reimbursements for gym memberships
Many health insurance plans offer incentives that include free gym memberships or reimbursements for gym memberships. Original Medicare does not offer coverage for gym memberships, but some Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans do. For example, Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active programs offer free or low-cost gym memberships to millions of Medicare enrollees.
Some health insurance plans will reimburse you for gym memberships and other fitness-related expenses. You may have to track your activity using your insurance company's app and work out at an approved location. If your insurance provider doesn't have an affiliation with a gym chain or you can't use your FSA, you can also look into whether your provider can refund you for some of the cost. Many health insurance providers offer full or partial reimbursement for gym membership fees, but there are usually requirements that must be met. For example, some providers may require a log of your gym visits that show you're using the membership before reimbursing you.
If you get your health insurance through your employer, you usually have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option. An FSA is a tax-free account where you put aside money to pay for any out-of-pocket health-related expenses, which can include your gym membership. However, you will need your physician to sign a letter of medical necessity explaining why you need physical activity for a specific medical reason.
Corporate gym reimbursement programs are also becoming more common. These programs are taxable if they are considered part of employees' pay, but there are a few exceptions. For example, gym reimbursements that are part of a "qualified" program or a transportation fringe benefit may be non-taxable.
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Free gym memberships for seniors
In the US, gym memberships or fitness programs may be offered as part of extra coverage in Medicare Advantage Plans, other Medicare health plans, or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans. Original Medicare, however, does not cover gym memberships.
Some health insurance plans will reimburse you for gym memberships and other fitness-related expenses. Many insurance companies are increasingly including some form of fitness membership coverage. This is because it is more cost-effective to help keep you healthy now than to pay for treatment later.
If you are a senior, there are several ways to get a free gym membership. SilverSneakers, for example, is a no-cost gym membership program for eligible seniors with access to over 15,000 locations. SilverSneakers is included in some Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans for adults 65 and older. Silver&Fit is another program that offers no-cost or low-cost gym membership to nearly 5 million Medicare enrollees at over 18,000 fitness centers across the US.
If your insurance provider does not offer a free gym membership, you may still be able to get discounted rates at certain gyms. You can also look into whether your provider can refund you for some of the cost of a gym membership. Many health insurance providers offer full or partial reimbursement for gym membership fees, though there may be certain requirements, such as logging a certain number of gym visits.
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Health insurance through an employer
Health insurance is one of the benefits that many employers offer to their employees. This is known as employer-sponsored health insurance or ESI. It is a common way of obtaining private health insurance, and it is the most dominant source of such insurance. This is because it is efficient and has advantages relating to both risk management and cost. As the number of employees increases, the ability to predict future costs based on past experience also increases, reducing the uncertainty in setting premiums for the group. As a result, insurers can lower their rates for insuring the group.
ESI is usually funded in one of two ways. The first is that the employer pays a large share of the cost. The second is limiting the range of coverage options to avoid adverse selection among plan types. This can include encouraging spouses and other dependents to enroll in different plans.
When you get health insurance through your employer, you usually have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option. An FSA is a tax-free account where you put aside money to pay for any out-of-pocket health-related expenses, such as prescribed medications, certain medical procedures, co-pays, and drugstore items. This can also include your gym membership, especially if you have a letter of medical necessity from your physician explaining why you need physical activity for a specific health reason.
It is important to note that not all health insurance plans cover gym memberships. However, some health insurance plans do offer gym membership benefits, reimbursement, or discounts on out-of-pocket costs for gym access. These can include incentive programs that provide perks such as free gym memberships, cash incentives, or a free FitBit for reaching health milestones. Some insurance companies are also partnering with gyms and fitness centers to offer discounted rates for their clients.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your insurance provider and plan type. Many insurance companies offer gym membership benefits, reimbursements, or discounts on out-of-pocket costs for gym access. Some companies provide incentives for tracking your workouts via a fitness tracker or app.
Review your health insurance documents carefully to understand what services are covered. If you're still uncertain, contact your insurance company and ask about your options.
Here are some examples of insurance plans that offer gym membership benefits, reimbursements, or discounts:
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: Offers a $20 reward per month for members enrolled in the fitness incentive program.
- Silver&Fit: Provides no-cost or low-cost gym membership to Medicare enrollees at over 18,000 fitness centers across the US.
- Silver Sneakers: Offers free gym membership to members of certain insurance companies that cover Medicare beneficiaries.
- Aetna: Provides gym membership reimbursements for group products and Medicare Advantage Plans, with up to $600 annually for married couples.
- Oscar: Offers a gym reimbursement benefit of up to $400 per year for members and $200 for eligible spouses.
- Cigna: Provides up to 40% in fitness fee reimbursements through their Healthy Rewards Program.
If your insurance provider doesn't cover gym membership, you may still be able to get a discounted rate at certain gyms. Additionally, some insurance companies may offer partial reimbursement for gym membership fees, so be sure to check with your provider.
Many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans offer free gym membership through programs like Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active. These programs are designed specifically for older adults and include various workouts, activities, and educational resources.
