Paul Sanchez
Many health insurance plans offer incentives to encourage healthy behaviours, and these sometimes include free or discounted gym memberships. If your insurance provider doesn't have an affiliation with a gym chain, they may still reimburse you for some of the cost. To qualify for reimbursement, some providers require a log of your gym visits, showing that you're using the membership. This can be done through a fitness tracker like a Fitbit or Apple Watch, or by reporting visits through an app.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insurance providers that offer gym membership reimbursements | Horizon BCBS, AmeriHealth, Aetna, Oscar, Cigna, Aetna Medicare, John Hancock, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey |
| Requirements for reimbursement | Log of gym visits, minimum number of workouts per month, waiting period before reimbursement eligibility |
| Reimbursement amounts | Vary depending on the insurance provider and plan; can be full or partial reimbursement, with some providers offering up to $20-$200 per month |
| Other incentives | Fitness trackers, discounts on fitness gear and online classes |
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What You'll Learn
Insurance providers that offer gym membership reimbursements
Many health insurance plans offer gym membership reimbursements, discounts, or free memberships as part of their wellness programs. In some cases, providers may require a log of your gym visits or a minimum number of workouts per month before reimbursing you for your membership fees. Some insurance companies also require you to work out at an approved location and track your activity using their app or a fitness tracker.
Horizon BCBS
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey offers a $20 reward per month ($240 per year) for members enrolled in their Bfit program. This program reimburses up to $20 per month for gym memberships.
AmeriHealth
AmeriHealth offers $150 in fitness fee reimbursement.
Aetna
Aetna offers gym membership reimbursements for their group products and Medicare Advantage Plans. Married couples can receive up to $600 annually. They also offer $200 for individuals and $100 for eligible spouses every six months. If you are enrolled in an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, you are automatically enrolled in the Silver Sneakers program, which offers free gym memberships at participating facilities.
Oscar
Oscar offers a generous gym reimbursement benefit of up to $400 per year for members and $200 for eligible spouses.
Cigna
Cigna provides various discounts, with up to 40% in total fitness fee reimbursement through their Healthy Rewards Program.
Anthem
Anthem offers fitness programs and gym reimbursement to help their members save money.
It is important to note that the availability and specifics of these programs may vary by location and change over time. It is always a good idea to review your insurance plan's benefits and contact your provider to understand the details of any gym membership reimbursements or discounts they offer.
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Using a fitness tracker to log gym check-ins
Many health insurance providers offer full or partial reimbursement for gym membership fees, but they may require proof of your gym attendance. Using a fitness tracker is a convenient way to log your gym check-ins and workouts.
There are various fitness tracker apps available, such as Strong, Fitbod, Google Fit, and StrengthLog, each with unique features to help you track your workouts and gym visits. These apps can provide accountability, show your progress, and help you plan your training schedule.
For instance, the Strong app has a simple interface and offers a comprehensive range of exercises with detailed instructions. It also has advanced statistics, a built-in timer, and support for multiple exercise types. Fitbod, on the other hand, is highly customizable, allowing you to choose your experience level, training goals, and available equipment. It also provides over 600 demo videos to ensure you're performing the movements correctly.
Google Fit takes a simpler approach, tracking steps, sleep, and heart rate data, with Heart Points and Move Minutes earned through physical activity. StrengthLog offers a free workout tracker with no ads and a simple interface. It provides basic statistics, training programs, and a large selection of exercises to choose from or create your own.
By using one of these fitness tracker apps, you can easily log your gym check-ins and workouts, making it convenient to provide proof of attendance for insurance reimbursement.
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Tax deductions for gym memberships
In some cases, gym memberships can be tax-deductible. Generally, the IRS allows you to deduct gym memberships as long as they are part of a "continuing expense." This means that you can deduct gym memberships for as long as you are exercising regularly, and it is considered part of a workout program to maintain your fitness levels for work. However, it is important to note that most taxpayers do not itemize their deductions because they receive a larger deduction by taking the standard deduction. For 2024, the standard deduction is $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly.
To deduct gym membership as a medical expense, it must be prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition. It is also important to note that gym memberships are generally not considered eligible medical expenses for HSA purposes. However, if you meet the requirements for what the IRS considers an eligible medical or dental expense, you can use your HSA funds to pay for your gym membership.
Additionally, if you are self-employed, you may be able to deduct your gym membership as a business expense if it is directly tied to your trade or business. For example, if you are a personal trainer or a fitness instructor, your gym membership may be considered a necessary expense for continuing your education or improving your skills in your field.
To claim a deduction for your gym membership, it is important to keep thorough documentation, including a doctor's prescription, proof of payment, and receipts. It is also recommended to consult a tax professional to ensure you are meeting all the requirements and complying with IRS rules.
It is worth noting that health insurance can also help reduce the cost of gym memberships. Many health insurance providers offer full or partial reimbursement for gym membership fees, although there may be certain requirements to meet, such as providing logs of gym visits.
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Discounts on gym memberships through health insurance
Many health insurance plans offer incentives and perks to their customers, which sometimes include free gym memberships. If the gym membership isn't free, you can often get a low-cost or discounted membership.
Medigap plans, for example, will cover all or part of a gym membership through access to the Silver&Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Renew Active programs. Many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans also offer seniors free gym membership through these programs. Original Medicare, however, does not cover the cost of gym memberships.
Some health insurance companies partner with a program called Active and Fit, which allows you to get discounted gym memberships. The Active&Fit Direct program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of ASH. With Active&Fit, you can choose from 12,700+ standard gyms for $28/month or 9,800+ premium exercise studios for 20% - 70% off. You can also purchase multiple standard and premium gym memberships with a $5 discount off the monthly fee for each membership purchased after the first.
Some insurance plans may require you to go to the gym a certain number of times per month or complete specific milestones to qualify for benefits. In some cases, providers may require a log of your gym visits that show you're using the membership before reimbursing you for a portion of your gym fees. Others may have a waiting period of a few months before you are eligible for reimbursement.
If your insurance provider doesn't have an affiliation with a gym chain or you can't use your FSA, you can 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, though there are usually a few requirements that must be met.
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Health insurance plans with gym membership incentives
To take advantage of these incentives, the first step is to review your current health insurance plan to see what benefits are included. Typically, you can log into your insurer's website to check. Some insurance plans may offer direct incentives like free gym memberships or discounts, while others may provide reimbursements for gym costs. For example, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey offers a $20 reward per month for members enrolled in their fitness incentive program, who must work out at least 12 times a month at participating gyms.
If your current plan does not offer gym membership incentives, you can shop around for a policy that better suits your needs. Several insurance carriers offer reimbursements for gym memberships, and some even provide incentives for tracking your workouts through fitness trackers like Fitbits or Apple Watches. For instance, AmeriHealth's Healthy Lifestyles program offers $150 annually in gym reimbursements, and Aetna offers reimbursements of up to $200 for individuals and $100 for eligible spouses every six months.
Additionally, some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans offer gym reimbursements or free gym memberships through programs like Silver Sneakers, Silver&Fit, and Renew Active. These programs are available to seniors and provide access to participating gyms at no additional cost.
By exploring these options and reviewing your insurance plan's benefits, you can take advantage of gym membership incentives and make informed decisions about your health and finances.
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Frequently asked questions
You can log your gym visits through your insurance provider's website or their dedicated app. Some insurance companies also allow you to track your workouts via a fitness tracker like a Fitbit or Apple Watch.
The frequency of gym visits required for reimbursement varies by insurance provider. Some providers require a minimum of 12 workouts per month, while others track activity over six-month periods.
The amount of reimbursement varies depending on your insurance provider and plan. Some providers offer a fixed amount per month, such as $20, while others provide a percentage reimbursement, which can be up to 40% of your fitness fees.
The timing of reimbursement depends on your insurance provider's policies. Some providers may have a waiting period of a few months before you are eligible for reimbursement, while others may reimburse on a monthly or semi-annual basis.
