Does My Medicare Plan Cover a Fitness Membership?
January 21, 2020 | Debby Jesser
Did you know that many Medicare plans cover gym or fitness memberships at no additional charge? Staying in shape often remains a priority as one grows in age.
Does My Medicare Plan Cover a Fitness Membership?
Fitness memberships are not covered under Original Medicare. However, a fitness membership may be covered by a private health plan such as a Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD) or a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan. Gym or fitness memberships are often part of the extra coverage offered by these plans. The plans that do include a fitness membership work in conjunction with various fitness programs designed for seniors and those that are Medicare eligible. With this in mind you may be wondering how these various plan types differ.
What is Medicare Advantage?
A Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD) provides coverage through private insurance companies. A Medicare Advantage Plan provides all the benefits of Part A, Part B (except Hospice care), and in most cases, Part D. However many of the Medicare Advantage Plans offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare, including: dental, vision, wellness benefits and/or travel coverage.
What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is a policy that helps pay for health care costs that Medicare may not cover. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies licensed to offer these plans in your state. Medigap policies do not cover most Part D prescription medications, so if you want drug coverage, you can add a standalone Part D plan that are available in your area. Medigap can cover some health care costs like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that original Medicare doesn’t cover. Standardized Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable even when there are health concerns. However, Medigap may not cover eyeglasses or dental care like a Medicare Advantage Plan might.
Each plan is different and not all plans offer a fitness membership. In addition, this feature is subject to change year to year. Our agents take your personal and lifestyle needs into consideration when making Medicare plan suggestions. During your guaranteed annual review provided with our SurePlan Medicare System we notify you of upcoming changes to your specific plan including how your fitness membership may be affected.
Common Gym Coverage Options
The private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans normally partner with privately owned fitness programs such as SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit. Other companies, such as UnitedHealthcare incorporate their own fitness programs into their plans. Learn more about these various programs below.
SILVERSNEAKERS®
SilverSneakers® is covered under some private insurance companies and provides many health benefits for seniors. This program provides on-demand exercise videos, access to any of the more than 15,000 participating locations and FLEX classes. FLEX classes are exercise classes that are offered at other locations beside a physical gym. The FLEX classes are generally located at recreation centers, senior communities, churches, and more.
Silver&Fit®
The Silver&Fit® program offers access to a multitude of fitness locations, up to two Home Fitness Kits each year, a resource library, and a great rewards program. The Home Fitness Program Kits can include yoga kits, cardio kits, walking kits and more.
Renew Active™
Renew Active™ is exclusively to those with UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans. Renew Active provides a gym membership, an online brain health program and access to local health and wellness events.
You can find out if your plan includes a fitness membership by contacting your insurance directly, or by reaching out to our team. If you currently do not have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, you can learn more about these plans at one of our upcoming workshops.
