Whether Healthfirst covers a gym membership in NYC depends on which plan you have. Medicare Advantage members get SilverSneakers at no extra cost. Marketplace Leaf members get discounted access to a national gym network and can earn money back for showing up regularly. Medicaid managed care and Child Health Plus plans don’t include a standard gym benefit.
Medicare Advantage Members Get SilverSneakers Free
Every Healthfirst Medicare Advantage plan in the 2026 lineup includes SilverSneakers at $0 to the member. That covers the 65 Plus Plan (HMO), Increased Benefits Plan (HMO), Connection Plan (HMO D-SNP), Life Improvement Plan (HMO D-SNP), CompleteCare (HMO D-SNP), and the Signature Plan (PPO).1Healthfirst. Shop for Medicare Advantage Plans2Healthfirst. Signature Plan PPO
SilverSneakers gets you into a national network of participating gyms and fitness centers. In New York City, you can search for locations through the SilverSneakers site and visit as many participating facilities as you like.3SilverSneakers. SilverSneakers Locations in New York City To sign up at a gym, bring your SilverSneakers membership ID on your phone, printed, or downloaded. Call ahead before your first visit, since some locations require an appointment to set up the membership. The program also includes live classes, an on-demand video library, and a mobile app with workout programs.2Healthfirst. Signature Plan PPO
Marketplace Leaf Plans: Discounted Access and Cash Back
If you’re on a Healthfirst Marketplace Leaf or Marketplace Leaf Premier plan, the fitness benefit is called Active&Fit ExerciseRewards. It isn’t free, but it’s a steep discount: $28 per month gets you into thousands of participating fitness centers, with premium gyms available at a higher fee.4Healthfirst. Leaf Plans
The reimbursement side is where the money comes back. Visit a qualifying gym at least 50 days within a six-month period and you can earn up to $200 back for that period, up to $400 over a full coverage year. A covered spouse can earn another $200 per year.4Healthfirst. Leaf Plans A member who shows up consistently can recover a large share of what they paid in.
How to Claim the Reimbursement
If you join a participating Active&Fit fitness center, your visits are tracked automatically and you don’t need to file anything. For any other gym, you’ll need to submit a completed Fitness Center Visit Submission Form (signed by a gym representative for in-person facilities), proof of payment such as a receipt or credit card statement, and proof of visits like a gym printout or an attendance log for virtual classes.5Benefithelp. Healthfirst Fitness Center Reimbursement Form
Send claims by email to Fitness@ExerciseRewards.com as a PDF or Excel attachment, or by mail to Active&Fit ExerciseRewards, P.O. Box 509117, San Diego, CA 92150-9117. The deadline is 90 days after the end of the reward period, and your check arrives within 30 days of processing. Only one gym session counts per calendar day.5Benefithelp. Healthfirst Fitness Center Reimbursement Form
Medicaid and Child Health Plus: No Standard Gym Benefit
Healthfirst’s Medicaid managed care and Child Health Plus plans do not appear to include a gym membership or fitness reimbursement benefit. The individual and family plan shopping page lists preventive and wellness visits for Marketplace plans and therapy services for Child Health Plus, but says nothing about gym access or fitness incentives for Medicaid or CHP enrollees.6Healthfirst. Shop for Individual and Family Plans
Medicaid managed care organizations in New York sometimes offer fitness perks that aren’t highlighted on shopping pages, including partnerships with local gyms and free YMCA memberships through certain plans. If you’re on a Healthfirst Medicaid plan and want gym access, call Healthfirst directly and ask what fitness programs are currently available under your specific plan.