Life Time Fitness clubs limiting access to seniors on Medicare
HOUSTON - Life Time Fitness clubs have announced they will start limiting access to seniors who are on Medicare.
"We go every day, usually at least six days a week," said Paul Hughes.
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Going to the gym is big part of life for Paul, and his wife, Alba.
"I normally do two classes a day," Alba said.
Like a lot of folks on Medicare, Paul's membership is paid through the Silver Sneakers Program.
"Basically, there's no fee for me," he said. "There is a fee I pay for my wife every month, but mine is free, and you could go anytime you wanted to, seven days a week."
Paul and other standard Medicare members got e-mails telling them beginning January 1, their access to the gym will be limited.
"Saturday's, for example, I can't go until 2 p.m.," he said.
On Sunday's, standard Medicare members can go during all open hours.
But Monday through Friday, they can only go between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Alba says she attends classes at 8:30 a.m.
"Normally, we can go together in one car," she said. "But now he cannot go with me, because he can't get in until 9:30."
Medicare members who want to regain full access to the gym must pay $100 a month.
Easier said than done for a lot of seniors.
"We really don't like it," Paul said. 'There's been 50, 60, 70 old timers that have signed a petition asking Lifetime to change their opinion about it."
"I feel it's some kind of discrimination for the elderly," said Alba.
After calling and visiting Lifetime Fitness, we were told the general manager had our number. We've yet to hear back.
Lifetime released the following statement following the restrictions:
The change taking place Jan. 1, 2024, is partly driven by the rate Medicare Fitness Program Administrators are paying on behalf of enrollees (which is a small fraction of our regular membership dues and a free product for virtually all eligible Medicare members), coupled with our desire to ensure a fair and equitable offering relative to what those under 65 are paying for membership access to Life Time. Ultimately, as opposed to not renewing agreements and providing no further membership options for Medicare enrollees, we aimed to create a solution that could continue to serve a large and rapidly growing Medicare population and do so with a continued, significant price advantage. We acknowledge that there is no perfect solution for everyone, but we believe we arrived at an offering that still provides strong value with unlimited visits, along with options – including the basic membership with revised hours ($0 for most) and a Signature upgrade option that provides unlimited access during club operating hours and other benefits. (To note, some other Medicare fitness participants limit the number of visits each month and we wanted our members to have access seven days a week.
The Lifetime official has explained why the policy was implemented. Lifetime outlined several factors that contributed to the decision to restrict seniors' access to gyms and health clubs under Medicare:
- The changes stems from recent negotiations with Medicare Fitness Program Administrators, which inform us of the rate they will pay on behalf of their members at each renewal.
- In turn, we have created an agreement that ensures eligible Medicare enrollees continue to have access to Life Time given our ongoing commitment to healthy aging.
- As the rate Medicare providers pay is significantly discounted, this membership also honors a fair and equitable approach and value provided relative to other members paying for full-rate memberships, while these members continue to receive Life Time access on a subsidized basis.
- The alternative would have been no contract renewal, nor continued access to Life Time. Because Life Time remains committed to healthy aging, the revised access hours were established to ensure participants in eligible Medicare programs continue to have the option to join Life Time and take part in our growing ARORA program offerings.
- We believe this membership continues to reflect the products, services and access meets the majority of Medicare enrollees’ interests and expectations. The hours were selected with the best interest of all members in mind.
- The Signature upgrade option is available for members seeking unlimited club access, which is well-below the full rates being paid by other members. Plus other centers limit Medicare members with a 2-4 visit amount, we offer unlimited visits per month.
- So, members 65 and older have more options for membership than anyone else. All memberships include unlimited visits per month. The 4 Options are :
- Medicare Free: Has restricted hours
- Upgrade to Medicare Signature: (80.00 – 150.00 per month, depending on the club) Has no restricted hours and includes Beach Club Access and Signature Classes
- Full Price Membership: For those not on a Medicare Plan accepted by Life Time. (99.00 – 299.00 per month, depending on club)
- 65 and Older Membership For those not on a Medicare Plan accepted by Life Time (89.00 – 269.00 per month depending on club)