Fitness Reimbursement Program: Aetna

Aetna is now one of many insurance companies that offer fitness reimbursement programs. In other words, they help employers give discounts (and in some cases straight cash) to employees for getting their fitness on. If this sounds too good to be true, you can read more about how fitness reimbursement programs work here. Otherwise, continue on for how you can take advantage of Aetna’s program!

Aetna fitness reimbursement plans are open to a number of employer-sponsored programs. In addition to gym memberships, plan members can receive reimbursements for purchasing at-home equipment, group classes and wellness counseling. Employers are able to customize the program and decide how much money their employees are eligible to be reimbursed for their fitness-related expenses. [Insurance Quotes]

An example of a plan you might see with your employer:

• Employees who complete a minimum of 50 visits per six-month period at a qualified health club can receive up to $200 cash, or $100 per spouse.
• A qualified health club will be specific to your employer, but it is typically one that offers a variety of cardiovascular and strength-training exercise equipment. (These can include traditional health clubs, YMCAs, etc.)

Want to see if you’re eligible? Take 2 minutes to fill out this form and we’ll take care of all the paperwork for you, no strings attached. Note that responses can take 1-2 weeks.

While you wait, get stoked for your cash rewards by checking out these 13 benefits of gym reimbursements.

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free gym reimbursement check!

 

 

10 Ways to Save Money at the Gym

We hear it all the time: “I can’t afford to go to the gym”. While it is true that gym memberships aren’t free, there is no reason cost should hold you back from a healthy lifestyle. In fact, if you work it right, you may be able to break even or better yet, MAKE money by going to the gym! With all the health incentive programs entering the industry right now, there has never been a better (or cheaper) time to focus on your fitness. Here are 10 creative ways for you to save money at the gym:

1. Research daily deals in your area

Flash sales offer a great way to get a deep discount on a regularly high-ticket classes. Better yet, you can shop around before committing to your favorite. Try Groupon, LivingSocial, or Zozi to find some local deals.

2. Commit at the right time

You can usually get the best deals around the end of the year holidays (Christmas, New Year’s Eve) or during the slower summers. Gyms have financial goals they have to hit and will likely offer the best discounts to prospect members during this time.

3. Walk to the gym

Obviously, this one depends how far you live from your gym, but if it’s manageable, you should always walk! Not only do you save money on gas or parking, you get the benefit of that warm up and cool down time.

4. Bring your own supplies

This includes things that you spend money on at the gym, such as:

• Locks
• Water bottles
• Protein shakes
• Post-workout snacks

These things tend to add up!

5. Refer friends!

Most gyms have referral programs and will give you all kinds of incentives for bringing in prospective members. The perks range from gift cards to membership credits to cold hard cash!

6. Utilize the free personal training session

Before you decide to splurge on a trendy fitness class, remember that many gyms offer a free personal training session with your yearly membership. Take advantage of this free pass, at the very least, and keep an eye out for package deals or group rates with your favorite trainer!

7. Check your insurance

Many health insurance companies offer gym reimbursements to members who workout regularly. For example, UnitedHealthcare gives $20 to every member who goes to the gym 12 times or more a month. That adds up to $240 a year! Find out if you’re eligible for cash reimbursements here, or simply fill your info into the form below:

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8. Prepay upfront

You can save a ton of cash by paying for 12 or 24 months upfront. For example, you can buy a 2-year membership certificate for 24 Hour Fitness at Costco for $369.99. That works out to $15 a month!

9. Two words: corporate discounts

Ask your employer if your company offers any corporate discounts. The savings are usually pretty steep (20-30%) and chances are, the gyms in the program are close to your office.

10. Wear your FitBit and cash out

Who knew that you could earn money for using your FitBit? Rewards include things like Walgreen’s Balance Reward points, perks from AchieveMint, or donations to charity. (You can see a full list of awesome incentives here.)

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to see if you’re eligible for a free gym reimbursement check!

Photo cred: YMCA Twin Cities, notyourgoodfatty.com, picturecorrect.com, worldfitnesscertification.com

Important Health Insurance Marketplace Dates

Open enrollment is in full swing, and for those new to the health insurance marketplace, or reassessing their options for 2015, there can be a lot to learn!

Most importantly, there are several very important deadlines. And pushing off a decision, such as your 2015 insurance plan, until the last minute is never a good idea. Here is a full list of deadlines so you can set your self up for a healthy 2015 with time to spare!

(Friendly reminder: If you pick a plan with a fitness reimbursement program, you can cover most if not all of your gym costs! Learn more here.)

• November 15, 2014: 2015 Open Enrollment starts
• December 31, 2014: Coverage ends for all 2014 Marketplace plans
• January 1, 2015: 2015 coverage can begin
• February 15, 2015: 2015 Open Enrollment ends

During 2015 Open Enrollment, if you enroll or change plans:

• Between the 1st and 15th days of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the next month.
• Between the 16th and the last day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the second following month. So if you enroll on January 16, your coverage starts on March 1.
• Between February 1, 2015 and the deadline of February 15, 2015, your 2015 coverage begins March 1, 2015.

Note that you can enroll in the Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of the year.

More information can be found here.

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.

I’m not eligible for a gym reimbursement, what does that mean?

As we know, many insurance companies now offer gym reimbursements for employees who workout regularly. This typically comes with a lot of paperwork, which is where spott3r comes in! Simply enter your information, and we handle all of the logistics for you.

There are instances, however, where someone may not be eligible for a gym reimbursement. Has this happened to you? Chances are its due to one of these reasons:

1. You don’t have a gym membership. 

While all fitness reimbursements are different, most require you to attend a gym or organization that they partner with. Not sure which ones qualify? Take a look at the insurance company’s website! (For example, UnitedHealthcare has a full list of the gyms they partner with here.)

2. Your employer doesn’t currently offer a reimbursement

Not all employers have jumped on the fitness train yet. Consider reaching out to your HR department and encouraging them to find a plan that offers reimbursements! After all, a healthy employee is generally less expensive. (See how one company saved $280,000 by implementing fitness into their work culture here.)

3. Your current plan with your insurance company doesn’t offer a reimbursement

While many insurance companies offer health incentives, not all of them are there yet. Ask your insurance company to consider adding reimbursements to their fitness programs, and remind them that healthier members will cost less in the long run!

Alternatively, you can consider switching health care providers! Spott3r Founder, Rami Rafeh, recommends the following: Oxford, United Healthcare, Meritain Health, Harvard Pilgrims, Blue Cross Blue Shield.

4. You don’t go to the gym enough

Keep in mind that most fitness reimbursement programs require a minimum activity in order to get your reimbursement for the month. ​For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare require that you go to the gym 12 times a month in order to receive the reimbursement ($20).

More answers to frequently asked questions here.

Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.

 Image via All Around Fitness

Spott3r + CityMD Fitness Reimbursement Program

We are thrilled to announce that we are now partnering with CityMD Urgent Care for a fitness reimbursement program! The program allows CityMD employees to receive money back for their workouts, leading to happier and more productive lives.

“This shows how forward-thinking and innovative CityMD is; this is an investment in the employees’ future and other employers should follow suit.”

– Spott3r Founder, Rami A. Rafeh

Millions of employees nationwide are eligible for gym reimbursements from their companies’ insurers. Though, many such employees fail to process the necessary paperwork to receive the reimbursement.

We address this issue head-on by providing a streamlined platform that files a reimbursement claim on an employee’s behalf. In doing so, we increase gym patronage, a function that is in alignment with the interests of insurance companies, employers, and gyms.

Calvin Hwang, CityMD’s Chief Experience Officer, commented on the partnership by saying:

“CityMD’s partnership with spott3r helps us practice what we preach. We care for the well-being of everyone on the CityMD team. We tell all team members to care for the well-being of each and every patient that walks in our doors. And this partnership is a way for CityMD to show our team that we care for their well-being not just with words but with action.

As a company we are also excited about using technology to promote health and wellness. Spott3r is an impressive example of putting today’s technology to use to promote wellness and I am excited to introduce spott3r’s technology to CityMD. I’m certain that it will help us get our team healthier and give us all a more positive outlook on life.”

A little more about gym reimbursements:

Mutual Benefits for Employers and their Workforce

•    Employees: use motivation to maintain a fitness regimen.
•    Employers: seek healthy employees to: (1) avoid job disruptions – i.e., presenteeism or absenteeism (2) keep healthcare costs low, and (3) keep employees happy and engaged.
•    Fitness Clubs: increase memberships.
•    Insurance Companies: insure healthier clients to reduce healthcare costs and reduce the risk of catastrophic claims.

About spott3r

Spott3r is a gym reimbursement service based out of NYC and founded on the principle that everyone could use a spot or plainly, that people could use an extra nudge in terms of staying healthy and active. Spott3r works with gyms, employers, insurance companies and joint venture partners to motivate people to get in shape and stay in shape through cash incentives.  Spott3r’s engagement program is designed to help an individual maximize his or her fitness potential since what gets measured, gets managed, which applies to personal fitness as well as general healthcare spend.

For more information about spott3r, visit spott3r.com.