Staying in shape is important at any age, but it’s especially important when you start to age. One easy way to accomplish this is to go to the gym. But this can get expensive, especially if you don’t use it a lot. Does Original Medicare or Medigap coverage include gym memberships? We’ll reveal the answer below. Does Original Medicare Cover Gym Memberships? Unfortunately, gym
memberships are not on the list of covered expenses under Original Medicare. It won’t cover fitness program fees or gym memberships. This means you pay 100% of the costs associated with it if you plan to get a gym or fitness program membership. However, you may be able to get help with some of the costs if you have a specific Medicare Supplement policy. How Medicare May Cover Gym Memberships Plan G may cover certain gym memberships, but Plan G plans have been scaling
back on covering gym memberships due to lack of use. However, people who have enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can have access to gym membership coverage under a specific program. To date, United Healthcare, Humana, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Gateway, Coventry, and WellCare all participate in a senior-specific gym membership program called Silver Sneakers in most states. United Healthcare is scaling back their coverage in certain states due to non-use, but it’s still
available in some places. The SilverSneakers Program The program that many Medicare Advantage plans include in their coverage is SilverSneakers. This program doesn’t cost anything extra for policyholders, and they pay for it when they pay their deductibles or premiums each year or each month. SilverSneakers is a gym membership and fitness membership organization aimed at people 65 and up. There are over 13,000 locations spread throughout the country, and
it partners with some Medicare Advantage plans to offer unlimited gym access. Along with unlimited gym access, participants get free fitness classes located in the gym and outside that cater to all experience levels. To date, there are over 60 health plans that partnered directly with SilverSneakers to offer this service. Some Medigap plans include Silver Sneakers as well, but you’d have to contact your specific company and ask about this benefit. SilverSneakers also sponsors social
events and activities to get people out with people their own age and socializing. Along with helping seniors lose weight and stay physically healthy, it connects participants to other people in their fitness classes. In turn, this can improve your quality of life. When you find a plan that offers SilverSneakers and a facility that participates in it, you get access to all the amenities the facility offers at their basic level. Every location that offers SilverSneakers has an adviser. This
adviser introduces newcomers to the program and helps you find what works best for your abilities. You can participate in fitness-related events and health education seminars. SilverSneakers is one of the few benefits that Medicare Supplement plans can offer at no additional cost to the policyholder. If you find a plan and a location, you’ll get a card or a 16-digit code from your health insurance company. This will prove you’re in the program, and it’ll give you access to the fitness
facility. The facility will also give you a card. It’s important that you compare insurance rates, and don’t pick one solely because it offers this program. Instead, find the insurance program that works best with your lifestyle, and go from there. Related articles: Does Medicare Cover Fitness Clubs?(Opens in a new browser tab) Does Medicare Cover Yoga? (Opens in a new browser tab) Gym memberships & fitness programsOriginal Medicare doesn't cover gym memberships or fitness programs. Your costs in Original Medicare You pay 100% for non-covered services, including gym memberships and fitness programs. Things to know Gym memberships or fitness programs may be part of the extra coverage offered by Medicare Advantage Plans, other Medicare health plans, or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans. If you have one of these, call your plan to see if it covers gym memberships or fitness programs. More Favorites From The Senior ListWe picked out a few more recommendations worth considering: Original Medicare covers only about 80 percent of health-care costs, and the remaining 20 percent can really make a dent in your wallet — especially if you are on a fixed income or pension. That’s why it’s important to enroll in a Medicare supplement plan, also known as Medigap. One of my favorite Medigap providers is Mutual of Omaha, an insurance company with superb customer service and an excellent range of Medicare supplement plans. In this rundown, I’ll help you understand Mutual of Omaha’s Medigap plan options and their related costs, and how the company compares to its competitors. Mutual of Omaha Pros
Mutual of Omaha Cons
Did You Know: To learn more about Medicare supplement insurance, including how to purchase it and when you’re eligible, take a look at my 2022 Guide to Medigap. Mutual of Omaha Company BackgroundWhat exactly is Mutual of Omaha? The Nebraska-based insurance and financial-services company was founded in 1909, and it offers products such as Medicare supplement insurance, life insurance, group life, and disability insurance. The company is authorized to sell insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As one of the pioneers in offering Medicare supplement plans (since 1966), the company has an extensive network of providers and is dedicated to making sure older adults’ out-of-pocket expenses are covered in full. It’s no wonder 10 percent of Medicare beneficiaries subscribe to Mutual of Omaha’s Medigap plans. Which Medicare Supplement Plans Does Mutual of Omaha Offer?Mutual of Omaha offers 10 standard plans, including Plans A, C, D, F, G, and N, with premiums ranging from $39.08 a month to more than $242.68 a month. Here is an overview of its plans:
Top tip: Get a 12 percent discount if your household has someone over the age of 60, even if they are not a Mutual of Omaha policyholder. Mutual of Omaha Medigap CostsThe goal of Medigap plans is to boost your Original Medicare coverage. Each plan is suited to a different need and budget, so you need to assess your health and expected health-care costs before choosing a plan. Here are the Medigap policies available through Mutual of Omaha, including their benefits and costs. Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans and Pricing
*The monthly premium estimates are based on a 65-year-old male customer living in Anchorage, Alaska. Did You Know: Did you know Medigap premiums tend to be higher in bigger cities? They also increase with the subscriber’s age. How to Enroll in a Mutual of Omaha Medigap PlanAny U.S. citizen over age 65 can apply for Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans, as long as they are already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you apply during open-enrollment season (six months from the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare), you are guaranteed access to Medigap even if you have a preexisting condition. After hearing rave reviews about Mutual of Omaha’s offerings, I wanted to see how easy it is to enroll in one of the company’s Medigap plans. I went to its website and entered the gender, ZIP code, and birth date of a fictitious older adult, and I was presented immediately with eight plan options in my state of Oregon. After going through the options, I decided the best way to thoroughly understand the plans would be to call a Mutual of Omaha insurance agent. It was a good call, and the agents seemed to know how to match me to the right plan based on my needs and lifestyle. If you feel like extra assistance can help you navigate this confusing purchase, then I’d suggest calling Mutual of Omaha’s call center or requesting a call back via the company’s website. Alternatives to Mutual of Omaha MedigapNot satisfied with what Mutual of Omaha has to offer? You may want to shop around a bit more, and check out our list of the best Medigap insurance providers. Below is a snapshot of three providers with solid alternatives to Mutual of Omaha.
In ClosingOne of the best ways to steer clear of medical debt is to enroll in a Medigap program from established private insurance providers such as Mutual of Omaha. After nearly a century in the industry, Mutual of Omaha has a reputation for top-notch coverage and friendly customer service. You can easily choose the plan that fits your requirements via Mutual of Omaha’s website or brokers. To learn more about our favorite Medigap providers, check out our guides:
Mutual of Omaha Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mutual of Omaha have a fitness program?Purchase an optional Mutually Well Gym Membership for just $25 a month** for access to over 10,000 participating fitness locations*** nationwide. Group classes are included with your basic membership, where available.
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and supplement?Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement are different types of Medicare coverage. You cannot have both at the same time. Medicare Advantage bundles Part A and B often with Part D and other types of coverage. Medicare Supplement is additional coverage you can buy if you have Original Medicare Part A and B.
Who has the cheapest Medicare supplement insurance?What's the least expensive Medicare Supplement plan? Plan K is the cheapest Medigap plan, with an average cost of $77 per month for 2023.
Is Mutual of Omaha a Medicare plan?Mutual of Omaha has you covered
Medicare Supplement insurance is offered to protect our customers' health and wallets. It's a great option to add to your existing Medicare Part A and B plans, as Medicare supplement insurance helps cover some out-of-pocket costs that Part A and Part B may leave you with.
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