Original Medicare covers inpatient and outpatient health care, plus some maintenance services. However, gym memberships and fitness programs aren’t a part of that coverage.
Optional Medicare plans like Medicare Advantage and Medigap, however, offer coverage to keep fit services.
Let’s check out ways to get your fitness costs covered under diets, along with the healthy way of life benefits that original Medicare covers.
Will Medicare purchase my gym membership?
Original Medicare consists of a double edged sword: Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital services and Medicare Part B covers outpatient health care and a few preventive services.
Although it might appear like fitness programs could come under maintenance, Medicare Part B coverage is restricted to programs that support health for health conditions. These programs include:
- work-related therapy
- physical rehabilitation
- speech therapy
- cardiac rehabilitation
- maple grove chiropractic
- durable medical equipment
With no medical diagnosis that needs some form of physical rehabilitation or rehabilitation, it’s important to spend the money for full price of health club or gym memberships up front for those who have only original Medicare.
You are able to opt into optional Medicare plans, for example Medicare Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medicare supplemental insurance insurance (Medigap). Diets may cover health club and gym charges. Coverage varies by plan type, location, and just how much you’re willing to cover your plan.
How do you obtain a gym membership through my Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is a kind of optional plan provided by private insurance providers. Diets are needed to pay for a minimum of around original Medicare covers when it comes to inpatient, outpatient, and maintenance services.
- Most plans offer additional services beyond original Medicare.
- The additional benefits each plan offers depends upon:
- the insurance coverage provider
- where you are
- the help you decide to use in your plan
- what you can purchase coverage
What’s SilverSneakers?
SilverSneakers is really a exercise program created for adults ages 65 and older. Although this program isn’t covered under original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers or any other fitness programs within their coverage.
The SilverSneakers program offers not only gym memberships. There are a variety of in-person programs across the nation, in addition to online programs and services. These benefits include:
Wide availability. With this particular program, you should use greater than 17,000 participating fitness gyms across the nation. Discover what facilities in your town participate on this link.
Tailored fitness classes. Courses are particularly created for seniors and targeted at every level of fitness. They include chair exercises, water exercise, yoga, tai-chi, circuit training, and weight lifting.
SilverSneakers FLEX classes. These classes offer fitness programs outdoors from the traditional gym. SilverSneakers supports health through various ways like walking programs, community center classes, park programs, and much more. Find out about the FLEX program on this link.
Online sources. People get access to a web-based library of fitness sources, diet information, as well as on-demand classes and fitness videos. For any more interactive experience at home, SilverSneakers also provides live classes on the web.
SilverSneakers application. An application known as SilverSneakers GO can help you track your fitness, diet, along with other health information.
SilverSneakers is generally offered by no additional cost included in many Medicare Advantage plans. Eligibility criteria varies by plan, but you should check eligibility using your plan provider or around the SilverSneakers website.
Are also fitness programs around?
Besides SilverSneakers, many Medicare Advantage plans offer other fitness options. They may give a amount of money you are able to apply toward an exercise or wellness program, or they may offer their very own services, like:
Renew Active by U . s . Healthcare not just features a gym membership, but additionally provides an online brain health program and use of local overall health occasions.
Silver&Fit offers online or perhaps in-person fitness services at greater than 14,000 locations nationwide.
Blue Mix Blue Shield offers a number of its Medicare Advantage people $150 each year toward health club memberships, with a few limitations.
A few of these programs, like Silver&Fit, offer similar programs and options as SilverSneakers. Others offer complementary support, for example wellness sources and dietary counseling. Most Medicare Advantage plans include these types of services at no additional fee beyond the price of the program you’ve selected.
If you are thinking about fitness services, inquire about coverage of these benefits when choosing your Medicare Advantage plan.
Does Medicare offer other healthy way of life benefits?
Outdoors of coverage to keep fit programs or gym memberships, Medicare covers a number of services aimed toward wellness.
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover many wellness services either considered medically necessary or like a supplemental service under a benefit plan. These types of services include:
- diabetes care
- heart health insurance and cholesterol programs
- preventive health screenings
- mental health visits
- addiction and substance use disorder services
- quitting smoking program
- dietary counseling
- dental hygiene
- bariatric surgery
- The takeaway
Original Medicare doesn’t cover the price of gym memberships or fitness programs.
Most Medicare Advantage plans offer participation in national fitness programs like SilverSneakers or offer people an allowance to keep fit program reimbursement.
Medigap plans sometimes cover fitness benefits.
Beyond fitness programs, Medicare covers a multitude of services targeted at promoting your general wellness.