Does your health insurance cover the costs for the gym?

Under certain circumstances and taking into account various criteria, it is possible that the health insurance company will pay your gym fee or even cover it completely. FITBOOK spoke to some health insurance companies to find out who is participating and how – and under what conditions.

Sport is important for health. Most of us have probably internalized that by now. This is why gyms are so popular. But what many people don’t even know is that health insurance companies may contribute to the costs of the gym. Some work with bonuses or bonuses. Here is an insight into different possibilities.

How do the health insurance companies feel about gym costs?

Sick members are more expensive than healthy members, which is why health insurance companies initially welcome and support any health-promoting measures. However, what the health insurance companies offer is very different. A simple look at the insurance benefits catalog can help you find out if you can get support. FITBOOK also followed up on this with Debeka BKK, Techniker Krankenkasse, IKK classic, BARMER, AOK and the commercial health insurance company.

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The Techniker Krankenkasse

TK only supports its members with the costs of the fitness studio if an additional course fee has to be paid in addition to the monthly fees. If, on the other hand, the courses offered by the fitness studio are already included in the regular contributions, the health insurance company will not cover these costs. If the courses are to be taken over, they must be approved by a central testing agency. Alternatively, TK members can take part in health insurance courses twice per calendar year.

IKK classic

The IKK offers cash bonuses or grants. If you are a member of a sports club or fitness studio, you can upload your invoice to the IKK via the app or online. There is 25 euros for an active membership or 20 training sessions per year.

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Debeka BKK

Debeka BKK does not offer any reimbursement or subsidies for fitness studios. The situation is different at the private DEBEKA. There you get a premium refund if you don’t submit any invoices.

OK

The AOK offers 50 bonus points for a membership in a gym. You can have the bonus points paid out (1 point = 1 euro) or you can have subsidies paid for the gym membership. 1 point = 1.20 euros. With 50 bonus points, that would be 60 euros for the membership fees. In order to get the bonuses, one simply has to submit the membership to the AOK.

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BARMER

BARMER explains that it does not offer any subsidies for fitness studio memberships because the law prohibits this. Instead, the health insurance company provides grants for courses and preventive measures if they have a seal of approval from the Central Prevention Testing Center. The courses range from cyber fitness (virtual training) and back training to seminars on stress management, relaxation and drug prevention.

Commercial health insurance

This health insurance company does not cover the costs of a fitness studio either. In addition, there are no grants. Instead, health-conscious behavior is rewarded as part of the KKH bonus program. If you present a confirmation of a sporting activity in a sports club or fitness studio, you will receive an active bonus of up to 60 euros in cash or optionally a health budget of up to 120 euros. This money is available for health services such as a fitness tracker, alternative medicine, parent-child classes, etc.

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Conclusion: health insurance companies promote sporting activities

Even if the health insurance companies often do not cover the costs for a gym, they still encourage exercise and sporting activities. Whether through bonus procedures, own course offers or the like: the health insurance companies can take advantage of many advantages. If in doubt, simply ask your personal health insurance company how they handle this – and/or look in the catalog of benefits.