How Can I Get a Free Gym Membership with Medicare?

Physical fitness is a major component of your overall health. If you’re a Medicare enrollee, you’re probably wondering whether your benefits include a free gym membership. It might surprise you to learn that Medicare alone doesn’t cover much in this regard. You do have other options though. Let’s break them down.

What You’ll Learn:

Why Does Physical Fitness Matter So Much?	Jump to
What Gym Memberships or Fitness Programs Do Medicare Plans Cover?	Jump to
Medicare Advantage Plan Options	Jump to
Medicare Supplement Insurance Options	Jump to

Why Does Physical Fitness Matter So Much?

Physical fitness affects every part of your health. According to the California Centers for Disease Control, physical activity can reduce disease risk, strengthen bones and muscles, help manage weight, and improve your ability to participate in daily tasks.ⁱ  

Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and obesity will likely see an improvement in their health when taking on physical activity. This doesn’t have to mean running a marathon. Even a moderate amount of activity will help improve your condition over time.

What Gym Memberships or Fitness Programs Do Medicare Plans Cover?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover fitness plans or gym memberships, though it does cover many health-related efforts such as diabetes prevention, nutrition therapy, and weight-loss surgeries. Under Original Medicare, you must pay 100% for non-covered services, which include gyms and fitness programs.

However, other Medicare options help cover gym memberships or fitness programs such as SilverSneakers, which itself provides free access to programs for adults age 65 years or older.  

Obesity treatments are one major component of Medicare offerings. With 42% of U.S. adults considered obeseⁱⁱ, the risks of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes along with mobility issues, chronic pain, and depression or anxiety are heightened. The National Council on Aging reports that total obesity-related federal spending is estimated at $91.6 billion per year – nearly a third of Medicare costs.ⁱⁱⁱ 

These numbers are among those that spurred the Medicare Part B program’s Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity initiative^iv, through which enrollees with a Body Mass Index of 30 or more can get screenings and counseling at no cost. These may include:

• A beginning assessment to determine BMI
• A nutritional evaluation 
• Ongoing counseling to encourage weight loss through diet and exercise 
  • One face-to-face visit every week for the first month 
  • One face-to-face visit every other week for the second through sixth month 
  • One face-to-visit monthly for the seventh to twelfth month provided the enrollee meets weight-loss requirements 

In addition to gym memberships and fitness resources, Medicare Advantage may also cover a limited amount of healthy home meal delivery. In severe cases (a BMI of 35 or above) Medicare covers bariatric surgery if deemed to be medically necessary.  

Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs, long-term use of meal delivery services or cosmetic procedures.

Medicare Advantage Plan Options

Many Medicare Advantage Plans (privately sold policies that are also known as Part C) cover fitness initiatives – these have grown substantially from when they were first introduced in the early 2000s^v. Today the great majority of individual plans (97%) have some provision for fitness.^vi

These include: 

• SilverSneakers, a senior-focused health and fitness program that offers in-person and virtual fitness classes at nearly 16,000 gyms and community centers nationwide 
• Renew Active, a United Healthcare program similar to SilverSneakers that also provides a session with a personal trainer 
• Silver & Fit, which connects enrollees to local gyms as well as virtual classes and home fitness kits 

The extent to which these benefits are offered depends on: 

• Your provider 
• Your location 
• The service you’ve chosen for your plan 
• Your coverage budget 

These programs tend to be widely available and tailored to older adults. They offer a wide variety of online resources, including apps and virtual at-home workouts for those who aren’t close to a participating gym or may be reluctant or unable to travel to a gym. 

Some carriers also offer an allowance that can be used to pay for any gym membership. For example, you may get a $150 annual stipend for this cause.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Options

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, covers gym memberships and fitness programs less frequently than Medicare Advantage. Medigap is privately sold insurance that helps bridge the gaps in coverage between Original Medicare and your health care costs, including coinsurance, copays, and deductibles.  

While some Medigap plans cover fitness classes and programs, it is not considered one of the 9 standard Medigap benefits. Therefore, it’s completely up to the insurance carrier to offer it. So,  it pays to compare plans carefully before enrolling so you don’t end up with a policy that doesn’t address these.

The Bottom Line

While you can’t get a free gym membership from Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage may be an apt place to turn if you’re looking for coverage for fitness classes and programs. While Medigap is a little less likely to cover your fitness initiatives, it’s worth investigating for plans that may provide funds.  

Looking to compare? Call a licensed agent at the number on this page. Ensurem is here to help!

Denise Austin is a best-selling author and creator of Fit Over 50 magazine. A 40-year wellness ambassador, Austin has sold more than 24 million exercise videos and DVDs and a champion for people who aspire to live their best life, regardless of their age or current health conditions.