Can You Get a Medicare Plan That Covers Fitness Membership?
Fitness is important for health and wellness. Therefore, many insurance companies include gym memberships as a part of incentive programs to keep you healthy. If you’re on Medicare, you might wonder if fitness benefits are included. The answer to that is yes, but it depends on your Medicare plan.
Fitness Membership Coverage Under Medicare
Medicare does offer fitness benefits, and sometimes gym memberships, but you have to select the right plan.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) does not cover gym memberships. However, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers preventive medicine. This includes programs for diabetes prevention and management, nutrition therapy, obesity screenings and counseling, cardiovascular behavioral therapy, a yearly wellness visit, and a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. While none of these preventive services include a gym membership, you can learn a lot about your health and fitness needs.
Wellness Visits
The “Welcome to Medicare” visit is your first wellness visit. You can have a wellness visit each year after that too. It’s not physical, even though they take routine measurements.
The wellness visit includes a Health Risk Assessment, routine basics like height, weight, and blood pressure measurements, a cognitive assessment to determine if you show signs of dementia, a review of your medical history, and personalized health advice.
Cardiovascular Behavior Therapy
Part B includes a cardiovascular behavioral therapy visit where you get your blood pressure checked, discuss aspirin, and get nutrition tips.
Diabetes Self-Management Training
Medicare Part B covers up to 10 hours of diabetes self-management. One hour is individual training. The other nine hours are a part of group training. They teach you tips about how to eat healthy and stay active. They also offer advice for monitoring your blood sugar, taking medications, and reducing the risk of developing diabetes-related diseases.
Medicare Diabetes Prevention
The Medicare Diabetes Prevention is a one-time program if you meet certain conditions. As a part of the program, you get six months of weekly group sessions where you learn to make long-term behavioral changes to your diet and activity levels. You also get:
- Tips for building a doable exercise regimen
- Weight control strategies
- Motivational coaching
- Group support
- 6 months of follow-up sessions for motivation and support
Nutrition Therapy Services
As a part of Medicare Part B, you can receive nutrition therapy if you have diabetes or kidney disease. You are only eligible if you have received a referral from a doctor. The services include an assessment of your diet and lifestyle habits, individual or group nutritional therapy, help with lifestyle changes, and follow-up visits to help you manage your diet.
Obesity Screenings and Counseling
You can receive obesity screening and counseling if your body index is 30 or higher. It includes an initial screening and then behavioral sessions, a dietary assessment, and counseling to help you lose weight and exercise more.
Medicare Advantage
The best way to receive gym membership coverage is through Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage includes all the benefits of Original Medicare plus extra benefits including vision, dental, hearing, and a possible gym membership. Medicare Advantage is a plan made through a federally approved private insurance company. Some of the insurance companies offer free gym memberships while others offer incentive programs and discounts.
Medigap
Medigap is supplemental Medicare insurance. It covers out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare doesn’t, or the “gaps” in Medicare. Medigap has eight regulated plans that are sold by private insurance companies. Some offer gym memberships. With Medigap, gym membership is usually free.
Note that you cannot purchase Medigap insurance if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
Silver&Fit
Silver and Fit is a fitness program for older adults that is available through Medicare Advantage and Medigap. You must be 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare. The network includes over 14,000 fitness centers and some YMCAs. Some of these fitness centers are basic while others are full scale. Silver and Fit also offers a home program with home fitness kits.
Silver Sneakers
Silver Sneakers is a nationwide fitness program for Medicare recipients aged 65 and older. There are 17,000 gyms and fitness centers that use Silver Sneakers. To participate, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or a Medigap plan that includes a Silver Sneakers membership. The program also allows disabled Medicare beneficiaries under the age of 65.
Renew Active
Renew Active is offered by UnitedHealthcare. It is only available to United Healthcare customers. United Healthcare is the largest Medigap provider, and they also provide coverage through Medicare Advantage plans. Renew Active is available in gyms throughout the country.
