When you are eligible for Medicare, you can get your benefits through Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not include any coverage for a fitness club membership. Many Medicare recipients with Original Medicare supplement their insurance by purchasing a Medigap
Medigap
Medigap refers to various private health insurance plans sold to supplement Medicare in the United States. Medigap insurance provides coverage for many of the co-pays and some of the co-insurance related to Medicare-covered hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health care, ambulance, durable medical equipment, and doctor charges. Medigap's name is derived from the notion that it exists to …
Full Answer
Can your Medicare plan cover your gym membership?
Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not cover any of the costs associated with gym memberships or fitness programs. However, there are other Medicare plan options that may cover the cost of a gym membership.
Does Medicare cover a gym membership?
Unless you have a medical diagnosis that requires physical therapy or rehabilitation, Original Medicare will not pay for gym memberships or fitness programs. You pay 100% for any non-covered service. The benefits in Medicare Advantage plans differ by company and location.
How much does a gym membership actually cost?
Paying for a gym or health club membership these days can take more weight off your wallet than it does off your waist. The average gym membership costs between $40 and $50 a month, but when you add the initiation fee, you're looking at as much as $800 a year. Originally Answered: What are the fees of a gym?
Does health insurance pay for a gym membership?
In general, health insurance companies will not pay for your gym membership directly. However, they often may give you a limited amount of money ($250 for example) towards the cost of it. The answer is they will often pay a little towards the cost of your membership.
Does Medicare cover going to the gym?
Gym memberships & fitness programs You pay 100% for non-covered services, including gym memberships and fitness programs. Gym memberships or fitness programs may be part of the extra coverage offered by Medicare Advantage Plans, other Medicare health plans, or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans.
Does Medicare Part C cover gym membership?
You can opt into optional Medicare plans, such as Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap). These plans may cover fitness center and gym fees.
Does AARP offer free gym memberships?
It includes: A free gym membership. Access to our nationwide gym network of gyms and fitness locations—the largest of all Medicare fitness programs. View thousands of on-demand workout videos and live streaming fitness classes.
Does Medicare G plan have silver sneakers?
0:104:05Does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover Silver Sneakers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell most carriers are no longer offering silver sneakers on their Medicare supplement insuranceMoreWell most carriers are no longer offering silver sneakers on their Medicare supplement insurance United Healthcare AARP was the one the last one that was doing it.
What is Silver Sneakers called now?
UnitedHealthcare replaced SilverSneakers with a different fitness program called Renew Active. Renew Active works similar to SilverSneakers. The program offers a list of participating gyms and fitness centers, which you can find using the “Find a Fitness Location” search tool on the company's website.
What is Medicare Silver plan?
A silver plan pays for more out-of-pocket medical costs than a bronze or catastrophic policy but less than a gold or platinum plan. Each company selling health insurance in a Marketplace must offer at least one silver-level plan. Silver plans pay, on average, 70% of the cost for the benefits that the plan covers.
Does United Healthcare Plan F cover gym membership?
It includes: A free gym membership. Access to our nationwide gym network of gyms and fitness locations—the largest of all Medicare fitness programs. View thousands of on-demand workout videos and live streaming fitness classes.
Is Silver Sneakers the same as renew active?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans that once covered SilverSneakers membership have replaced that coverage with a program called Renew Active. Renew Active is similar to SilverSneakers but also incorporates brain health activities.
What is AARP Silver Sneakers?
SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that's included with many Medicare Plans. SilverSneakers members can: Access live online fitness classes and an on-demand video library of prerecorded workouts.
Which Medicare supplements offer gym membership?
The Silver Sneakers program is available to men and women age 65 and over. The program offers memberships to many gyms and fitness centers across the country.
Does Medicare Part B Cover Silver Sneakers?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover gym memberships or fitness programs. Since SilverSneakers falls under this category, original Medicare doesn't cover it. However, gym memberships and fitness programs, including SilverSneakers, are often covered as an additional benefit in Medicare Part C plans.
Does Medicare Part C cover Silver Sneakers?
Part C Advantage plans are allowed by Medicare to include extra benefits, like dental, vision, hearing services, and membership in Silver Sneakers or similar gym programs.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a type of optional plan offered by private insurance companies. These plans are required to cover at least as much as original Medicare covers in terms of inpatient, outpatient, and preventive care services. Most plans also offer additional services beyond original Medicare.
Does Silver and Fit offer in person fitness?
Silver&Fit offers online or in-person fitness services at more than 14,000 locations nationwide. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers some of its Medicare Advantage members $150 per year toward fitness center memberships, with some restrictions.
Does Medicare cover gym memberships?
Takeaway. Original Medicare doesn’t cover gym or fitness center memberships. These services might be covered by private Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage or Medigap. Without an additional Medicare coverage plan, you’ll pay 100 percent of the costs of your gym or fitness center membership under original Medicare.
Does Silversneakers have a Medicare Advantage plan?
An app called SilverSneakers GO helps you track your fitness, nutrition, and other health information. SilverSneakers is usually offered at no additional cost as part of many Medicare Advantage plans.
Is Healthline Media a licensed insurance company?
Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S . jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance. Last medically reviewed on September 4, 2020.
Is Silver and Fit covered by Medicare?
Silver&Fit . Silver&Fit is another fitness program covered by some Medicare Advantage plans. The program offers access to local gyms and fitness services at YMCAs, where a person can access heart and strength training and amenities such as swimming pools, saunas, and whirlpools.
Does Medicare Advantage cover dental?
prescription drug plans. Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer the same coverage, so a person may want to check with their plan provider to confirm available benefits. Medicare Advantage plans differ by company and location, and a person may only enroll in plans available where they live.
Does Medicare cover gym memberships?
Original Medicare does not provide coverage for gym memberships or fitness classes. However, some other parts of Medicare may offer a benefit for certain fitness programs. Physical fitness and movement are important for a person to stay healthy, and many gyms have designed programs specifically for helping older adults be more active.
Does Medicare Supplement Insurance cover gym memberships?
Some Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, offer gym memberships and fitness benefits. Like Medicare Advantage, private insurance companies administer Medigap policies, and a similar online search option is available. A person who already has a Medigap plan can call their plan provider to find out if they have coverage ...
Original Medicare still doesn't cover fitness benefits, but many Medicare Advantage plans do
In most situations, Medicare will not pay for gym memberships. However, there are a few exceptions to this as well as a few other things to keep in mind if you are interested in wellness programs that Medicare covers.
Coverage under Original Medicare health insurance plans
Original Medicare collectively refers to Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A covers inpatient services, such as hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care. As you can imagine, enrollment in Part A will never cover gym memberships, because it only covers inpatient care.
Medicare Advantage coverage for gym memberships
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C of Medicare, is a way of getting your Medicare coverage through a private insurance company. Medicare Advantage doesn’t cover a specific type of care. Rather, it is an alternative to Original Medicare: you cannot have both at the same time.
Types of gym membership benefits
Among the Medicare Advantage plans that offer some kind of fitness membership coverage, there are a variety of available options. We’ll take a look at some of the most popular options. These will tend to vary geographically, so you will have to find participating locations in your area.
Gym membership coverage with Medicare Supplement plans
Medigap plans don’t cover gym memberships quite as often as Medicare Advantage plans, but it is something you may come across from time to time. Medigap insurance, also known as Medicare Supplement insurance, is primarily oriented towards covering out-of-pocket costs that you incur under Original Medicare.
Other forms of wellness care that are covered
As you can tell, getting coverage for things like gym memberships under Medicare is somewhat patchy. However, other forms of preventative care are often covered by both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Other forms of related coverage
In addition to the wellness programs described above, Medicare will sometimes cover chiropractic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more. Some of this will involve guided exercise and can help with your general fitness and health even while the care is focused on a specific set of symptoms.
How to contact Medicare Advantage about gym membership?
Call to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can help you determine your eligibility to enroll and find Medicare Advantage plans in your area that may cover gym memberships at. 1-800-557-6059. 1-800-557-6059 TTY Users: 711, 24/7.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private insurance companies. They are required to cover the same benefits as Original Medicare, but they are free to also offer some additional benefits. The additional benefits covered by some Medicare Advantage plans may often be centered around living a healthy life. ...
Does Medicare Advantage cover dental care?
Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as prescription drug coverage, routine dental care and non-emergency transportation. Some plans may also offer allowances for over-the-counter drugs and supplies, which may include vitamins and other health-related products.
Can Medicare Advantage be used in one location?
Medicare Advantage plan availability and the benefits they offer can vary from one location to another. A licensed insurance agent can help you compare the plans that are available where you live and help determine your eligibility to enroll.
Does Medicare cover Silversneakers?
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers SilverSneakers membership, you can visit participating gyms and fitness centers to enjoy a number of programs and amenities, such as: Fitness classes. Yoga. Workout equipment.
Will Medicare pay for my gym membership?
The original Health Insurance has two parts – A, which covers inpatient hospital services, and B, which covers outpatient medical care and some preventive services – but it does not cover the cost of the gym membership.
How do I get a gym membership through Medicare Advantage?
Part C of Health Insurance The plan is an optional plan offered by private insurance companies, and these plans must cover at least as much as the original Health Insurance is prepared to pay in terms of hospital, outpatient and preventive care services.
SilverSneakers
An option to consider if the SilverSneakers fitness program, designed for adults 65 years of age and over. This does not come under the umbrella of the original Health Insurance, but a lot Advantage of Medicare the plans include SilverSneakers or other fitness programs as part of their selection.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for gym memberships
Unless you have a medical diagnosis that requires physical therapy or rehabilitation, Original Medicare will not pay for gym memberships or fitness programs. You pay 100% for any non-covered service.
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may help pay for gym memberships
The benefits in Medicare Advantage plans differ by company and location. If a paid gym membership or fitness program is important to you, make sure this benefit is offered in the plan you choose.
Learn more about Medicare
For more helpful information on Medicare, check out these 10 frequently asked questions about Medicare plans.
How to contact Toni King about Medicare?
For assistance with enrolling and personalizing your Medicare, contact the Toni Says® office at 832/519-8664. Toni King, Medicare author/advocate is giving a $5 discount to the Toni Says® readers on the new 2021 Medicare Survival Guide® Advanced book at www.tonisays.com.
What is the benefit of Medicare Advantage Part C?
An extra benefit that helps to enhance Medicare Advantage Part C plans is that when one enrolls, they are offered Silver Sneakers or other types of memberships which provides a gym benefit.
Does Medicare cover everything?
It states…. “Original Medicare does not cover everything and if you need certain services that Medicare doesn’t cover, you will have to pay for them yourself unless you have other insurance to cover the costs unless…. ■ You have other coverage (including Medicaid) to cover the costs. ■ You’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan that covers these services.
Does Medicare pay for gym membership?
Medicare Parts A and B do not provide a gym membership for those who are enrolled in Medicare. It would be logical if they did because exercise does keep you healthy.
Does Medicare cover eyeglasses after cataract surgery?
Medicare and You handbook discuss eyeglasses (after cataract surgery) which is a limited benefit because Medicare will cover one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses) after cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.
