Check Your Health Insurance Before Paying For A Gym Membership

Gym memberships can be expensive, but are often necessary for maintaining good health. With plans costing upwards of $50 or more each month, keeping a gym membership can add up to hundreds of dollars a year which can make a sizable dent in many budgets — not to mention the many ways that gyms can try to trick you into spending more. However, many people might not realize that free or discounted gym memberships can be available to them through their health insurance. From reduced rates to full reimbursements, many insurers are increasingly offering fitness benefits to encourage healthy habits — and subsequently lower long-term health costs.

These perks are not always advertised, which means many policyholders may end up paying out of pocket for something they could be getting for free or at a significant discount. Whether you're looking to join a local fitness center or are already paying for a membership, it's worth checking if your insurance offers any gym reimbursements or other wellness benefits. A quick call could save you hundreds of dollars while keeping your fitness goals on track.

The easiest way to find out if your insurance plan offers fitness benefits is to log in to your member portal and read through your summary of benefits and coverage, sometimes called an SBC. This is a standardized document that outlines the benefits and costs of an individual's particular health insurance plan. For individuals with Medicare Advantage, fitness benefits are often included with programs like Silver&Fit and SilverSneakers.

In addition to reading through your SBC, individuals can also call the customer service number on the back of their insurance card and ask if their plan includes gym discounts or reimbursement. According to GoodRx, Antenna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Kaiser Permanente are some of the largest providers that often include gym membership benefits. However, eligibility for fitness benefits can vary from one plan to another. 

Another way to get a discount on a gym membership may be through an employer-sponsored FSA account, which is often used for healthcare expenses, but can cover gym memberships with a letter of medical necessity that explains that gym access is necessary for general health or specific treatment purposes.

Besides gym memberships, many health insurance plans also offer a range of wellness perks that can help people stay active and healthy at little to no extra cost. These can include discounts on fitness classes, access to digital workout platforms, weight loss programs, and smoking cessation programs. Some plans, especially with Medicare, also provide free access to dietitian services or nutritional counseling to help with managing conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.

Insurers provide these types of benefits as part of a broader effort to promote preventive care and reduce long-term health costs. Encouraging healthy habits can lower the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure — issues that often lead to expensive and prolonged treatment. By helping members adopt healthier lifestyles earlier on, insurers aim to improve health outcomes while keeping medical costs in check. If your health insurance plan includes these types of perks, taking the time to use them can pay off both physically and financially.