Medicare Fitness Programs: Silver Sneakers, Renew Active and Silver and Fit
Silver Sneakers, Renew Active and Silver and Fit are the most popular fitness programs covered by Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans.
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These fitness plans typically cover gym memberships, fitness classes and on-demand video courses.
Regular Medicare doesn't pay for gym memberships or other fitness programs. However, most Medicare Advantage and some Medigap plans do.
Does Medicare pay for gym memberships?
98% of Medicare Advantage programs pay for fitness programs or gym memberships. Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans cover fitness programs, although it's less common compared to Medicare Advantage plans.
Regular Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover ordinary gym memberships.
What is Silver Sneakers?
Silver Sneakers gives you free access to more than 15,000 gyms and fitness centers nationwide. That makes it one of the largest fitness programs available to Medicare Advantage and Medigap members.
Silver Sneakers members can also enroll in a range of popular fitness programs, such as aqua aerobics and yoga. Silver Sneakers also gives you access to on-demand video workouts and free online fitness classes, cooking guides and health workshops.
Silver Sneakers: Best for nontraditional fitness options
The Silver Sneakers Flex program lets you exercise outside of traditional gym settings with its Flex program. Consider Silver Sneakers if you prefer a walk in the park to working out in a gym.
Companies like Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Kaiser Permanente all offer Medicare Advantage plans with Silver Sneakers. Keep in mind companies may not offer Silver Sneakers with every Medicare Advantage plan they sell. Check your plan details before you buy.
What is Silver and Fit?
Silver&Fit is one of the largest Medicare fitness programs in the nation with roughly five million members. Members get access to more than 20,900 fitness centers alongside thousands of on-demand video workouts. It also offers healthy aging coaching, which helps you create a personalized health plan.
Silver and Fit: Best training facility network
Silver&Fit has the largest network of gyms and other training facilities out of any Medicare fitness program. You will have to pay a discounted fee to attend some of the premium options, however.
You can get Silver&Fit from big companies like Ambetter, Molina, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente and some Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) affiliates. Companies that partner with Silver&Fit may not offer it with every Medicare plan.
Silver and Fit vs. Silver Sneakers
Like Silver Sneakers, Silver&Fit gives you access to a broad range of fitness centers and activities. For example, you can join a regular gym, your neighborhood YMCA or a yoga or Pilates studio.
However, unlike Silver Sneakers, Silver&Fit divides its fitness centers into two levels: standard and premium. All Silver&Fit members get access to standard options. However, you need to pay to go to the premium gyms, which typically include more expensive options like climbing and luxury gyms.
Silver&Fit also stands out for its healthy aging coaching program. Customers get free one-on-one consultations with a trained health coach, a personalized training plan and follow-up sessions to keep you on track.
Silver Sneakers doesn't offer the same level of personalized care that Silver&Fit does. However, it stands out for its FLEX program, which lets you work out outside the gym in places like parks, retirement communities and malls.
AARP Renew Active
AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers Renew Active memberships with many of its Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Renew Active has many of the same benefits as other fitness programs including access to certain gyms and online classes and resources.
Renew Active: Best for mental fitness
Renew Active is the only Medicare Fitness Program to offer free resources to train your mind. Consider Renew Active if staying mentally sharp is a top priority for you.
You can download the free Silver Sneakers GO app from the Google Play or Apple Store. The app gives you access to a fitness calendar, free online classes and information on in-person classes in your area.
Renew Active used to have an app, however, it's no longer visible on either the Google Play or Apple App Store. You may be able to access some Renew Active features through the UnitedHealthcare app. In addition, Renew Active gives users access to Fitbit premium and an exclusive Fitbit community where members can trade fitness tips and insights.
Renew Active vs. Silver Sneakers
Renew Active and Silver Sneakers are more similar than different. Both programs give you access to thousands of gyms nationwide, online classes and a variety of fitness activities. Popular fitness classes covered by Renew Active and Silver Sneakers include Zumba, yoga and aqua aerobics.
While the two are mostly similar, Renew Active offers two advantages over Silver Sneakers. Renew Active members also get a free personalized training plan that's updated each year. Also, all Renew Active members get free access to Brain HQ, an online resource that helps you keep your brain sharp through online articles, activities and videos.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare is a top Medicare Advantage and Medigap company. It has affordable rates and good customer satisfaction levels.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best Medicare-covered fitness program?
The best Medicare Advantage and Medigap fitness programs include Silver Sneakers, Renew Active and Silver&
Does Medicare cover Silver Sneakers?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover Silver Sneakers. But, many Medicare Advantage and some Medigap plans pay for Silver Sneakers or other fitness programs.
Will Medicare pay for me to go to the gym?
No, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will not pay for a gym membership. However, many Medicare Advantage and some Medicare Supplement plans offer free gym memberships.
Sources and methodology
Information about Medicare coverage for fitness programs came from Medicare.gov. Eligibility requirements and program benefits and guidelines for Silver Sneakers, Renew Active and Silver&Fit came from each program's respective website.
Statistics regarding the prevalence of fitness benefits among Medicare Advantage programs came from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
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