Ways To Save On Your Ymca Membership
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the Chester County community. We serve people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes.
Our fundraising efforts help us to provide financial assistance and income-based membership to ensure that YMCA memberships and/or programs are available for all individuals and families in our community. Start your free YMCA membership trial today.
Additional opportunities to save on your YMCA membership are highlighted below:
Income-based memberships are available to individuals and families who meet the eligibility requirements and would like assistance in paying for their membership.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Family Membership: Gross household income for all adults must be under $80,000.
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Individual Membership: Gross household income for all adults must be under $50,000.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in applying for an income-based membership, stop by a Member Services Desk or call any one of our branches and request a confidential application. You will be required to submit the following documents:
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Copy of last years federal tax return
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Two recent copies of pay stubs OR social security/disability checks
Financial assistance is available to individuals and families meeting specified household income guidelines to assist in paying for YMCA programs such as camp, childcare, swim lessons, sports leagues and more.
How to Apply:
Get Fit At Your Local Gym Or Ymca
While YMCA memberships arent offered through Medicare insurance, there are other gym memberships and fitness programs that may be available through a Medicare Advantage plan.
Gym and fitness program memberships are becoming more popular with seniors these days because they realize the value physical and mental fitness can bring to overall health and well-being. Actively taking part in fitness and wellness programs helps participants by:
- Reducing the risks for chronic illnesses
- Building strength in bones and muscles
- Boosting mobility to avoid falls and raise quality of life in everyday activities
- Reducing the risk of depression
- Helping with weight management
- Increasing life expectancy
TIP: Discover how to get fit with low-impact dance exercises for seniors.
Find a new Medicare plan
Get recommendations based on what’s important to you, and compare them to your existing plan.
How Do I Get Silver Sneakers
If you arent sure, just ask your agent while considering your options. Sometimes we cannot disclose all perks offered by an insurance company so as not to inadvertently steer clients one way or the other.
Of course, Silver Sneakers is one of the biggest perks and some of our clients will choose a carrier based on this benefit alone. Its important to crunch the numbers, however. If you frequently use the gym and a membership will save you $60 a month, then it might be an easy decision. But if you dont use the gym often you might benefit from a lower cost Medicare plan that does not offer this benefit. We can help compare your best options.
Here are a few FAQs that will help you:
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The Importance Of Fitness Programs For Seniors
Each year, there are 36 million falls among older adults in the United States, accounting for 3 million seniors in need of emergency room care and over 32,000 deaths.
Exercise at any age is important, but as you get older, it can help you maintain your independence and avoid unwanted medical costs.
Staying active can help you reduce stress, improve your health, and strengthen your body, helping you reduce your risk of falling. Here are some common benefits:
- Stronger bones as working out can fight against bone loss
- Reducing your risk for chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, etc.
- Mitigate pain caused by osteoarthritis
- Improvements in both immunity and your mood for improved physical and mental health
Gyms offer a wide range of exercise types, with many offering specific workout opportunities that are low-impact yet physically challenging and designed for seniors.
A gym membership with Medicare provides plenty of benefits that positively impact your health and improve your standard of living.
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Ashlee Zareczny
Which Clubs Offer Silversneakers
In my area LA Fitness has entered the health club arena which is a huge bonus as LA Fitness has many locations throughout the area. This makes the journey to fitness so much easier to find a close health club with easy parking.
Two other large chains which can offer SilverSneakers is Planet Fitness and Powerhouse Gym. Again this can depend upon the facility, in my area the Planet Fitness does not offer SilverSneakers, but Powerhouse does. The YMCAs also participate which is always a great avenue for a comprehensive workout and/or exercise program.
I was impressed with the selection of health clubs available in my area including: Physical Therapy locations, Family YMCAs, LA Fitness, municipal fitness facilities and Anytime Fitness. Visit the Healthways website to check if your health plan includes Silver Sneakers.
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Find A Fitness Location
Stay active by choosing a local gym or fitness location from Renew Actives network of over 20,000 locations nationwideincluding many premium gyms and fitness locations not offered by other Medicare fitness programs.
In addition, you will receive a one-to-one session with a personal trainer to create a personalized fitness plan to help get you started. Find a fitness location near you.
Does Original Medicare Cover Fitness Programs
Original Medicare Part A and Part B, which covers hospitalization and outpatient medical visits respectively, does not pay for gym memberships. However, in some circumstances, Original Medicare will cover some prescribed treatments related to fitness, including nutritional therapy and physical or occupational therapy.1
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Does Medicare Cover Gym Membership
Your Medicare gym membership may be available through your Medicare Advantage or less commonly Medicare Supplement plan.
If you have Original Medicare , however, you will need to be sure that your Medigap coverage includes fitness plans or your gym membership. Otherwise, youll need to purchase coverage from an Medicare Advantage plan with such coverage.
While all Medigap plans, such as Medigap Plan F, will provide the same level of benefits because of standardization, extra benefits, including gym memberships may vary.
Medicare Supplements With Silver Sneakers Membership
As a rule of thumb, more Medicare Advantage plans offer Silver Sneakers than doMedicare supplement policies. Membership availability will depend on the State where you live. Its more common to see larger insurance Medicare supplement providers offering this benefit. Many smaller companies will not.
Popular insurance companies like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare , and Medical Mutual of Ohio offer this program in many states. This benefit does not cost extra. It is included as part of your overall monthly premiums.
Taking it a step further, Silver Sneakers is one of the very few benefits that Medicare supplement insurance companies are allowed to include at no additional cost. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, supplemental policies cannot include many ancillary benefits. Gym memberships are one of the few free service available.
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Does Medicare Offer Other Healthy Lifestyle Benefits
Outside of coverage for fitness programs or gym memberships, Medicare covers a variety of services geared toward wellness.
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover many wellness services either considered medically necessary or as a supplemental service under an Advantage plan. These services include:
Does Medicare Supplement Include Silversneakers
Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement insurance plans do not typically include gym memberships. Medicare Supplement insurance plans may cover most of your Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance and copayments, as well foreign travel emergencies.
Because these Medicare plan options are offered through private, Medicare-approved insurance companies, their availability and benefits may differ by location. You may want to compare plans to see if one in your area offers Medicare coverage for health club membership costs.
Just by entering your zip code in the form on this page, you can start comparing Medicare plans in your area instantly.
Find an affordable Medicare plan with extra benefits. We can help you find an affordable all-in-one Medicare plan that may include dental benefits, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and more.Start now.
Find an affordable Medicare plan with extra benefits. We can help you find an affordable all-in-one Medicare plan that may include dental benefits, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and more. Start now.
Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because eHealthâs Medicare related content is compliant with CMS regulations, you can rest assured youâre getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage.Read more to learn about our Compliance Program.
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What About Medigap Coverage For Gym Memberships
Gym memberships and costs for fitness programs are covered less often by Medigap plans than by Medicare Advantage plans.
Typically, Medigap plans are geared more toward covering your share of original Medicare services than extra services like fitness programs. However, some plans may include options for fitness program coverage.
If you need fitness membership coverage, compare Medigap plans carefully before enrolling.
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Get Started With A Gym Membership
With so many gyms and exercise facilities to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. To start, look up gyms nearby that have what you need to work on your wellness goals. So, if you want to add swimming to your exercise routine, find a local gym with a pool.
Once youve decided on a location, its time to enroll! Depending on the facility, you can sign up at the gym itself, online or over the phone.
Are Other Fitness Programs Available
Besides SilverSneakers, many Medicare Advantage plans also offer other fitness options. They might provide a dollar amount you can apply toward a fitness or wellness program, or they might offer their own services, like:
- Renew Active by United Healthcare not only includes a gym membership, but also offers an online brain health program and access to local health and wellness events.
- Silver& Fit offers online or in-person fitness services at more than 14,000 locations nationwide.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield offers some of its Medicare Advantage members $150 per year toward fitness center memberships, with some restrictions.
Some of these programs, like Silver& Fit, offer similar programs and options as SilverSneakers. Others offer complementary support, such as wellness resources and nutritional counseling. Most Medicare Advantage plans include these services at no additional fee beyond the cost of the plan youve chosen.
If youre interested in fitness services, ask about coverage for these benefits when selecting your Medicare Advantage plan.
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What Is Silversneakers What Is Silver & Fit
SilverSneakers and Silver & Fit are both health and fitness programs designed for adults 65 years and older. Silver Sneakers is offered through more than 17,000 fitness locations nationwide,4 and Silver & Fit has 14,000 plus fitness centers.5
If your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan includes either program you can find a fitness location near you on silversneakers.com or silverandfit.com. Participants are usually eligible for all of the health clubs facilities and amenities as well as special classes and training sessions designed for seniors.
Both programs also offer extensive home workout programs via video for people without a participating fitness club near them or for those who would rather work out at home. This was especially important during the COVID-19 outbreak, when gyms and fitness clubs were closed and seniors were sheltering at home.
Will Medicare Pay For My Gym Membership
The original Medicare comprises of two parts A, which covers inpatient hospital services, and B, which is to do with outpatient medical care and some preventative services but it does not cover the cost of gym membership.
The only reason why Medicare might fund the cost of your fitness center or gym membership, assuming you have the original Medicare package, is if your medical diagnosis requires some type of physical therapy or rehabilitation.
It is possible to sign up for optional Medicare packages, such as Medicare Part C or Medicare supplement insurance . Unlike the original Medicare plan, this might cover your fitness center and gym costs. Typically, there are factors that vary, such as the plan type, location, and how much you are happy to pay for your plan.
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Aarp Unitedhealthcare & The Y
BE HEALTHY, BE STRONG, BELONG TO THE Y
If you are 65+ and hold an AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance plan with United Health Care, you can enjoy 50% off the senior adult membership rate at the Y a savings of $13.50 per month! You also pay no join fee and enjoy full facility membership plus additional wellness classes right in your branch at the Hopkins County Family YMCA and Y Express .
Benefits of the AARP Medicare Supplement Y membership program include:
- Members have access to full membership services including access to the YMCA and Y Express.
- New members do not pay a joiner fee.
- Current Y members can convert to the AARP Y membership with activation letter obtained from AARP beginning Jan. 1, 2016.
- AARP Y Members will pay $13.50 under this plan.
To enroll in the program, members must obtain an Activation Letter by calling the AARP Medicare Supplement Plan call center at 1-800-523-5800.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Ive heard about this new membership benefit at the YMCA because I have an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan. Can you tell me more about this?
A: If you are an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan holder, then effective January 1, 2016 you will have a new benefit where you only have to pay half of the normal monthly YMCA membership rate. You will still be able to enjoy all normal membership services at this YMCA through the new program.
Q: How much will I have to actually pay? Im not sure what the 50% is off of?
What Does It Include
You get access to over 15,000 gyms across the nation. Not only can you get into the gym, you are able to take classes that promote a healthy lifestyle. Also, many gyms offer programs and social opportunities for their members. As a note that you dont have to got a gym to take the classes. Many community centers and other places are available to you. And there are additional programs that allow you to save toward a family members college scholarship!
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Does Medicare Cover Silversneakers
Some Part C plans cover SilverSneakers. Additionally, some Medigap plans offer it as well.
If your plan covers the SilverSneakers program, you can sign up for it on the SilverSneakers website. After signing up, youll be provided with a SilverSneakers membership card with a member ID number.
SilverSneakers members have access to any gym that participates in the program. You can use your membership card to enroll at your gym of choice. Youll then have access to all SilverSneakers benefits free of charge.
How Does Silver Sneakers Gym Membership Work
Youll get a basic membership at any gym and participating location in the SilverSneakers network. Facilities, amenities, and classes vary by location, but if available, that generally means you can use: Cardio equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals. Strength equipment, such as weights and strength machines.
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How Much Does A Gym Membership Cost Without Medicare Insurance
If you dont have coverage for a fitness program like SilverSneakers, you can still join a gym for a monthly or annual fee. Prices vary according to location, facilities, program amenities, etc.
In the U.S. you can sign up for a good gym and fitness program that costs between $31.00 and $44.42 a month. Most programs give you access to the following equipment and activities:
- Weight machines
The Y Is Here For You
The YMCA has a partnership with UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans that provides a free membership through its Renew Active program. Available exclusively from UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans, Renew Active members receive a waived join fee and a senior individual membership at no cost.
Your YMCA membership, valued at more than $500 annually, includes a free personal fitness orientation. Well help you get started safely and confidently on an exercise program will help you build healthy habits and improve your health and well-being.
Y members enjoy full access to 13 facilities with fully-equipped fitness centers, unlimited exercise classes, lap swim, water exercise, social activities and Virtual YMCA, featuring live and on-demand workouts. Learn more about YMCA membership.
Renew Active is available at all San Diego County YMCAs.
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Which Insurance Companies Offer Silversneakers
Some of the health insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans offer at least one plan that includes SilverSneakers membership.
Some Medicare Advantage plan carriers that you may consider include:
For California residents, CA-Do Not Sell My Personal Info, .
MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.
The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Callers will be directed to a licensed insurance agent with TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc. and/or a third-party partner who can provide more information about Medicare Advantage Plans offered by one or several Medicare-contracted carrier. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc., and the licensed sales agents that may call you are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
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