Many Medicare plans offer benefits that help you stay healthy but each insurance company is different.

In Maine some Medicare supplement plans offer access to the Silver Sneakers program while others have chosen to be more flexible and offer gym membership reimbursements generally ranging from $100 to $300 or more per calendar year.

That’s right. They will pay you to go the gym!

The plans offering gym reimbursements are the most popular because they allow you to join the local gym that is nearby your home.

Tom Farrington owns Right Now Fitness in Westbrook, Maine and he says, “The most important thing about exercising is doing it!”

Tom says, “You have to show up and if you do then you’ve won. Even if all you do is walk 20 minutes on the treadmill or use a few weight machines, it is more than you would have done if you didn’t show up.”

Most of the membership at Right Now Fitness live local to Westbrook but Tom says that he also has members in nearby communities of Gorham, Standish, Buxton and Limington. He even has one member about 20 miles away in Saco. “One reason people choose our gym is because they work in Westbrook or because they drive by on the way to or from work.”

According to Tom, a big part of getting yourself to the gym is convenience, “If you have to travel out of your way to work out, you probably won’t do it.”

He’s right!

In comparing which fitness program is better, the final answer is … it depends.

If there are no gyms nearby that participate in Silver Sneakers then you should look at choosing a plan that offers cash reimbursements.

Another benefit to the plans that offer reimbursements is that some plans may also reimburse your costs of other wellness related services, such as excercise equipment for your home, the costs of working with a personal trainer, and even the costs of aerobic or yoga classes.

Wondering what your insurance plan offers?

If you are not sure if your Medicare plan offers one of these benefits you can contact the agent who helped you choose that plan or you can call me and I can help you and provide you will the forms you’ll need to fill out to get your money back.

If you are interested in finding out more about which plans offer these reimbursement or Silver Sneakers programs, you can use the contact page on this website to send me an email or I will be happy to help you over the phone. My number is 207-370-0173.

Best of all – it does not cost you anything!

I do not charge anyone for my help, whether you choose to work with me or not.  I get paid by the insurance companies that I am contracted with. I get paid for helping you and it does not cost you anything. You do not pay higher rates or any additional costs. You pay the same rate as everyone else whether I help you or not.

So, why not get some great advice and benefit from my experience?

Are you turning 65 and still working?  Read this.