Medicare Cover Fitness Classes

Maintaining physical and mental health can be achieved by remaining active and robust. It can be simpler to begin and maintain an exercise routine if you can access a nearby fitness program, gym, or recreation center. Your health insurance may include a complimentary workout membership for seniors 65 and older called SilverSneakers if you have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan.

Medicare Coverage for Wellness Services

Although Original Medicare does not pay gym memberships, you may be eligible for other wellness benefits and activities. For those at risk of specific conditions, Medicare provides various programs.

If you are at risk of getting diabetes, you can take programs through the Diabetes Prevention Program that will teach you about food, exercise, and lifestyle choices. If you have diabetes, kidney illness, or a kidney transplant, you may also be eligible for nutrition therapy via Original Medicare. This service’s entire cost will be covered by Medicare Part B. For people who are morbidly obese, Medicare may also pay for surgeries and procedures for weight loss, such as a gastric bypass.

How can I locate Advantage Plans that Offer Health Benefits?

Go to the Medicare Plan Finder, enter your zip code, and select Medicare Advantage Plan to search for Medicare Advantage plans in your area that offer fitness benefits. You can choose not to fill out the prompt to enter your prescriptions.

A list of Medicare Advantage plans that are accessible in your area will then be displayed. Suppose the plan includes transportation to and from medical appointments, fitness benefits, vision, dental, or hearing benefits. In that case, each option will have a green checkmark in the Plan Benefits summary. For possible fitness advantages, click on the Plan Details page and scroll down to Additional Benefits.

Renew Active

The Renew Active program is voluntary to participate in. Before starting an exercise program or altering your lifestyle or daily routine for health care, speak with your doctor. Regular fitness membership is included with Renew Active. Equipment, programs, individualized workout regimens, caregiver access, and events for fitness memberships can vary by location.

Several UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company affiliates or other third parties not connected to UnitedHealthcare provide services, discounts, classes, events, and online fitness programs. Your agreement to their specific terms and policies is a requirement for participation in these third-party services. AARP has registered AARP Keeping Sharp as a trademark. Access to the most prominent nationwide gym network for Medicare is determined by comparing competitor website data as of May 2022.

Does Medicare Cover SilverSneakers?

SilverSneakers is covered by several Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans. A few Medigap (Medicare supplement) plans also provide it. You can register for the SilverSneakers program on the SilverSneakers website if your project offers. After enrolling, you will receive a SilverSneakers membership card with a member ID number.

Members of SilverSneakers get access to all participating gyms. You can join the gym of your choice with your membership card. All SilverSneakers benefits will subsequently be available to you without charge.

What if my Insurance Doesn’t Cover Gym Memberships?

Unfortunately, if your plan does not provide this benefit, you can not participate in programs like SilverSneakers or Silver&Fit. You can pay the membership cost and join a gym, or you can hunt for a Medicare plan that covers gyms during the subsequent open enrollment period. While looking to join a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, active seniors who want to stay fit may prioritize joining a gym.

Silver&Fit

Another workout program that specific Medicare Advantage plans may pay for is Silver&Fit. The program gives participants access to local gyms and YMCA fitness facilities to exercise cardiovascular and strength training and enjoy swimming pools, saunas, and whirlpools.

One can choose to have two exercise kits mailed to their house each benefit year through the Silver&Fit Home Fitness programs, accessible through Medicare Advantage plans. It is impossible to sign up for a home exercise program and a fitness center simultaneously.

It is advantageous to look into all available private insurers because they each offer a particular fitness program.

Certain Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans to pay for gym memberships. You can learn more about the coverage on ClearmatchMedicare.com These memberships can be obtained through SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit, or Renew Active for free or at a modest cost. These initiatives are created to support senior citizens in maintaining and enhancing their health by being active.

If the fitness benefits in your Medicare plan are included, you may have access to some choices, such as regular gym memberships and the chance to enroll in a range of classes, such as yoga, pilates, boxing, water fitness, and more. These courses are also available online.