Does private health insurance cover gym memberships?

We all know that staying active is the best way to improve our overall health and wellbeing. That’s why so many of us spend our hard-earned money on gym memberships to keep ourselves fit and happy.

But given the skyrocketing cost of living, it’s no wonder so many Aussies are giving up their gym passes in favour of saving a few precious dollars. Here’s something you might not be aware of though: private health insurance could help cover the cost of your gym membership!

Here’s the lowdown on how to take advantage of health insurance cover for gym memberships.

In Australia, there are many different types of private health insurance policies, and some even include rebates on gym memberships as part of their extras cover. It’s a helpful incentive to encourage you to stay active and keep up a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, visiting the gym regularly could reduce your risk of chronic diseases and other health issues. But unfortunately, not all health insurance policies will include gym membership cover, so you’ll want to check the specifics of your cover to make sure.

Most health insurers that have gym membership rebates do so under their extras cover, which is the part of your health insurance that covers services not included in hospital cover, such as dental, optical and physio. To qualify for a gym membership rebate, you generally need a recommendation from a health professional, such as your GP or physiotherapist. So make sure you get them to state that having a gym membership is necessary for your ongoing health.

Here’s a four-step rundown of how it works:

• Eligibility: First, check whether your health insurance includes extras cover that has rebates for gym memberships. Not all policies do this, so you might need to upgrade your cover or switch to a different insurer.
• Medical recommendation: Most insurers will require a referral from a healthcare professional. This referral should state that a gym membership is essential for your physical health (e.g. for rehabilitation or managing a chronic condition).
• Approved gyms: Your insurer will likely have a list of approved gyms and fitness centres. Make sure the gym you choose is on this list to qualify for the rebate.
• Claims process: After meeting the above requirements, you can submit your claim to your insurer. Take care to include all the necessary paperwork, such as receipts and of course the medical recommendation.

While gym membership rebates can deliver big savings – very handy if you’re a young adult struggling with the cost of living – make sure you read the fine print. Some insurers only cover a portion of the membership cost, and there could be caps on how much you can claim every year.

How long is a piece of string?

It really depends on the type of gym you go to, the location, the on-site facilities, as well as any extra services that are included. On average, a standard gym membership can range from $15 to $50 per week. So annually, you could be paying anywhere from $780 to $2,600 or more.

Premium gyms with things like swimming pools, personal training and group classes might cost more, so bear that in mind as well.

Again, it depends. Read through your policy and check on the type of extras cover you have. While your health insurance will cover a percentage of the gym membership cost, up to a set limit, it can vary between insurers and policies.

For example, a policy might cover up to 50% of your gym membership costs, with an annual cap of $500. This means if your gym membership costs $1,000 per year, you could potentially get back $500 from your insurer.

To get the most out of your insurance benefits, do the following:

• Check your policy: Review your current health insurance policy or speak to your insurer to confirm whether gym memberships are covered.
• Annual limits: Familiarise yourself with the annual limits on gym membership rebates and plan your claims accordingly.
• Combination of benefits: Some policies will let you combine different types of benefits, such as gym memberships, physio and other wellness activities, under one annual limit.

Aside from standard gym memberships, some health insurance policies will also cover specific gym classes and services. These can include group fitness classes like yoga, pilates, spin and aerobics. You might also be entitled to personal training sessions with a certified PT.

Some policies might also include rehab. These are exercise programs for injury rehabilitation or for managing chronic conditions. Also look out for insurers that include specialty programs under their policies – these are particularly helpful if you have a specific healthcare need like weight management or cardiac rehabilitation.

1. Confirm that your health insurance policy includes gym membership rebates under the extras cover.
2. Get a referral from a health professional, like your GP or physio, stating that a gym membership is essential for you.
3. Choose a gym from your insurer’s list of approved providers.
4. Keep all the receipts and other documentation related to your gym membership payments.
5. Fill out a claim form from your health insurer and submit it along with your receipts and the medical referral.
6. Once your claim is processed and approved, your insurer will reimburse you according to the terms of your policy.

Health insurance can be a way to get fantastic rebates on gym memberships, making it more affordable to stay fit and healthy – despite the cost-of-living crisis. Just make sure to read the fine print of your policy to ensure everything is correct and you will be adequately covered!