SilverSneakers is one of the most popular fitness memberships for older adults. It includes membership to more than 16,000 participating fitness facilities nationwide as well as a wide variety of in-person, online and on-demand fitness classes that members can use to keep fit at home. These classes are also an excellent way to meet other like-minded older adults. So you may be wondering, “Does Medicare cover SilverSneakers?”
Get Your Free 2021 Guide to Medicare
Unfortunately, Original Medicare doesn’t cover the costs of gym memberships like SilverSneakers. That means that if you want to receive coverage for the plan, you’re going to need to look into alternative options. Some of those are discussed in more depth below.
Medicare Advantage Plans are meant to expand upon the offerings of Original Medicare plans. They often include coverage for fitness programs like SilverSneakers. This means that if you’re interested in signing up for SilverSneakers, it may be worth it for you to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan first. That being said, not all Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for SilverSneakers. It’s important that you take some time to look into the details of the plans that you’re considering to ensure that they include the type of coverage that you’re looking for. Of course, fitness services coverage isn’t all that you’d get from a Medicare Advantage plan. Most also include coverage for vision and dental services, which typically aren’t covered by Original Medicare either.
Your options are fairly limited if your Medicare health insurance won’t cover the costs of your SilverSneakers membership. The most obvious solution is to pay for the service yourself. However, this isn’t a realistic choice for some older adults. Another option is to sign up for a supplemental Medicare plan that will cover the costs of a fitness service like SilverSneakers. Medicare Advantage plans are a choice for this type of coverage. Finally, you can also look into lower-cost fitness services. For example, gyms in your area may have special deals for older adults that allow you to take classes or use fitness equipment at a lower cost.
Of course, keeping yourself fit doesn’t have to cost a dime. Doing so can be as simple as taking a regular walk outside.
Get Your Free 2021 Guide to Medicare
Original Medicare isn’t meant to include coverage for fitness services like gym memberships. This means that individuals who only have basic Medicare coverage will need to pay for their fitness membership costs out-of-pocket or through another type of health insurance plan.
How Can Time for 65 Help?
If you’d like to learn more about Medicare’s coverage for fitness services like SilverSneakers, or if you’d like to know what else does Medicare cover, consider reaching out to a partnered licensed agent through Time for 65. They’re Medicare experts can answer your questions and make personalized plan recommendations based on your coverage goals. You can reach an agent today by either filling out this form or giving us a call.