Fitness and fitness membership: What does the health insurance pay?
In Switzerland, health insurance companies offer their policyholders fitness subscriptions and health programs as additional services. The health insurance companies promote the health and well-being of the insured by creating incentives for regular physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
These include discounted gym memberships, financial contributions to courses and training, and access to online fitness programs. The conditions and benefits of these offers vary depending on the health insurance company and the selected supplementary insurance. It is advisable to compare the different health insurance offers in order to find the right fitness subscription for your individual needs and preferences.
What does the health insurance pay for the Fitness Membership?
In Switzerland, health insurance companies cover part of the costs for fitness membership or health programmes as part of their supplementary insurance. The exact amount they pay for the fitness subscription depends on the health insurance company and the corresponding supplementary insurance.
The financial contribution of health insurance companies to the cost of fitness memberships varies. Some health insurers offer lump sums between CHF 200 and CHF 1000 per year, while others reimburse a percentage of the membership costs (for example 50%) up to a certain maximum amount. In some cases, health courses or special training programmes can also be subsidised by the health insurance.
Does supplementary insurance pay for fitness?
Supplementary fitness insurance is usually an additional benefit provided by a health insurance company to promote the health and well-being of the insured by providing financial support for sporting activities and healthy lifestyles. The supplementary insurance covers the following benefits when it comes to fitness:
- Fitness Membership
Supplementary insurance can cover part or all of the cost of a fitness subscription at a recognised gym or sports facility.
- Health and fitness courses
The supplementary insurance covers the costs of courses such as yoga, Pilates aerobics, Zumba or other health-promoting activities.
- Preventive health programmes
Supplementary insurance also covers the costs of preventive health programmes such as nutritional advice, smoking cessation or stress management.
- Sports clubs
Supplementary health insurance with fitness provides financial support for participation in sports clubs or other sporting activities, such as swimming lessons, tennis lessons or skiing tours
Which health insurances cover the costs of fitness clubs?
In Switzerland, health insurance companies cover some of the costs for fitness studios as part of their supplementary insurance policies. However, the exact benefits and conditions vary from provider to provider. Here are the health insurers that cover gym subscriptions.
| Health insurance | Supplementary health insurance & cost coverage |
|---|---|
| Helsana | Completa: 75% max. CHF 200 per calendar year. Completa Extra: in addition to COMPLETA, the full invoice amount max. CHF 800.- per calendar year for all areas. Helsana covers the fitness subscription up to a maximum of CHF 1000 per year. |
| Swica | Completa Präventa: 50% up to CHF 500 per calendar year (max. CHF 300 per type of provision). Optima: 90% of the costs not covered by Completa Präventa, up to a maximum of CHF 300 per calendar year. Swica covers the fitness subscription up to a maximum of CHF 800 per year. |
| Sympany | General supplement, Plus, Plus Natura, Salto: max. CHF 200 per calendar year. Private supplement, Premium, Premium Natura: max. CHF 300 per calendar year. Sympany covers the fitness subscription up to a maximum of CHF 300 per year. |
| Visana | Basic, Ambulant: max. CHF 200 for annual subscription. Visana covers the fitness subscription up to a maximum of CHF 200 per year. |
| Sanitas | Classic, Family Jump, MobiJeunes: max. CHF 200 per calendar year (the benefit is counted towards the product-specific prevention - health promotion cap per calendar year). Sanitas covers the fitness subscription up to a maximum of CHF 200 per year. |
Compare supplementary insurances for fitness and fitness-memberships
A comparison of supplementary insurance helps to compare the premiums and cost coverage of health insurance companies.
How much does the basic insurance pay towards the fitness membership?
Basic insurance does not pay anything towards the fitness membership. However, basic insurance focuses on medical treatment and care services and is not designed to cover the costs of fitness membership or health-promoting activities.
The costs for fitness subscriptions and sporting activities are usually covered by supplementary insurances offered separately by health insurance companies. These supplementary insurances are voluntary and offer a range of additional benefits and coverage, including financial contributions to fitness subscriptions.
You need to enquire about the supplementary insurances offered by the various health insurers and compare the benefits they provide if you are looking for financial support for a fitness subscription. However, the basic insurance alone does not cover such benefits.