Benefits Strategy

How to use the Cigna Gym Reimbursement, and an Alternative Reimbursement Program your Employees will Love

Written by Ameer

As part of their wellness programmes, insurance companies frequently provide gym reimbursement or discounts. Cigna is a large insurance company that provides a number of wellness programmes, such as gym reimbursement and discounts. These programmes may be popular with policyholders because they provide a financial incentive to engage in healthy activities such as going to the gym. Gym reimbursement and discounts, are generally regarded as valuable fringe benefits and company perks for employers and can be effective in encouraging employees to engage in healthy behaviors. Fitness related types of fringe benefits are always a hit with employees!

 Continue reading to learn more about Cigna gym reimbursement programs!

What are Insurance Sponsored Wellness Programs?

A wellness programme sponsored by an insurance company is one that encourages healthy behaviors and lifestyles among its policyholders. Fitness classes, nutrition education, and stress management techniques are examples of resources and activities that may be included in these programmes to encourage healthy behaviors. An insurance-sponsored wellness program’s goal is to assist policyholders in maintaining or improving their health, which can lead to lower healthcare costs for the insurance company and its policyholders. These programmes can be a valuable resource for human resource executives because they can help to reduce absenteeism and increase employee productivity while potentially lowering healthcare costs for the organization.

What are Cigna Gym Reimbursements?

Cigna is a health insurance company that provides its policyholders with a gym reimbursement programme as a perk. The program’s specifics vary depending on the policy, but in general, it allows policyholders to receive reimbursement for gym memberships or fitness classes. Policyholders may be required to meet certain requirements, such as visiting the gym or participating in fitness classes a certain number of times per week or month, to be eligible for the reimbursement.

Other fitness-related benefits, such as access to fitness tracking apps or discounts on fitness equipment, may be included in the Cigna gym reimbursement programme. It’s important to note that the Cigna gym reimbursement program’s availability and specifics may vary depending on the policy and the policyholder’s location. For more information on the gym reimbursement programme and any other fitness-related benefits that may be available, policyholders should contact Cigna or their employer.

On that note, here are some other popular employee stipends and reimbursements that employers offer to their teams:

How does Cigna compare to other Insurance Wellness Benefits?

Many insurance companies provide wellness benefits to their policyholders. Some insurance companies that provide wellness benefits include:

  1. UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare provides a wide range of wellness benefits, such as access to fitness tracking apps and discounts on gym memberships and fitness classes.
  2. Aetna provides a variety of wellness benefits, such as access to fitness tracking apps and discounts on gym memberships and fitness classes.
  3. Humana: Humana provides a number of wellness benefits, such as gym reimbursement and discounts on fitness classes and gym memberships. Check out this post on the humana wellness program, or their Go365 program!
  4. Blue Cross Blue Shield provides a variety of wellness benefits, such as access to fitness tracking apps and discounts on gym memberships and fitness classes.
  5. Cigna: Cigna provides a gym reimbursement programme as well as other wellness benefits such as access to fitness tracking apps and fitness equipment discounts.

Cigna goes one step further than most insurance wellness benefit offerings. However, it is important to note that the specifics of these programmes and benefits may differ depending on the policy and the location of the policyholder. When deciding which insurance company and policy is best for them, policyholders should carefully review the wellness benefits included in their insurance policy and consider their own needs and preferences. Before making a decision, compare the overall costs and coverage of various insurance policies, as well as any exclusions or limitations.

What program does Cigna offer to provide members with access to Fitness Facilities?

It’s important to note that the Cigna gym reimbursement program’s availability and specifics may vary depending on the policy and the policyholder’s location. Most employers who use Cigna have some sort of fitness-related benefit included, such as access to fitness tracking apps or discounts on fitness equipment. For more information on the gym reimbursement programme and any other fitness-related benefits that may be available, policyholders should contact Cigna or their employer.

6 Examples of Cigna Reimbursement Program offerings by Employers

Here are some examples of reimbursement programs offered by Cigna:

  1. United Site Services: Fitness reimbursements of up to $150 per individual, or $300 per family per calendar year in qualified health club membership fees, fitness class fees, or online fitness class subscriptions
  2. PTC: Fitness reimbursements of up to $100 per individual, or up to a combined family maximum of $300 per family per calendar year in qualified health club membership fees, or exercise class fees
  3. University System of New Hampshire: $300 maximum reimbursement amount per family, per calendar year. No attendance requirement, employees just need to submit the reimbursement form and receipt/proof of purchase.
  4. Dartmouth College: Up to $200 per calendar year (combined family maximum) in qualified fitness facility membership fees, or exercise class fees
  5. City of Hillsboro, OR: The maximum amount that can be reimbursed per employee is $200 per fiscal year. Here are the eligible reimbursements:
    • Fitness Classes
    • Race Entry Fees (with proof of attendance)
    • Exercise Equipment/Fitness trackers
    • Gym Membership
    • Ergonomic Work Station. Examples:
      1. adjustable desk
      2. desk chair
      3. laptop stand
      4. lumbar support cushion
      5. anti-fatigue mat, ergonomic
      6. mouse and keyboard
      7. desk lamp
      8. foot rest. (Applicable to City or home workstation; $200 limit per fiscal year )
    • Personal Training Session
    • Online Streaming Fitness Classes
    • Weight Watchers
    • Yoga Classes
  6. Tufts Health Plan: Members can get reimbursed for one of the following options, whichever has the greater value:
    • The cost of one month of individual or family fitness center membership per benefit year, or
    • Fitness center membership costs up to a maximum of $200 per benefit year

How do I get reimbursed from Cigna?

Policyholders must generally follow the steps outlined below to get reimbursed from Cigna for a fitness reimbursement programme:

  1. First, policyholders should determine whether they are eligible for the Cigna gym reimbursement programme. Policyholders should check with Cigna or their employer for more information on eligibility requirements, which may vary depending on the specific policy.
  2. Choose a gym or fitness programme: After determining eligibility for the Cigna gym reimbursement programme, policyholders can select a gym or fitness programme that is covered by the programme. For a list of approved gyms and fitness programmes, policyholders should contact Cigna or their employer.
  3. Enroll in the gym or fitness programme: After selecting a gym or fitness programme, policyholders must enrol in the programme and pay any applicable fees.
  4. Make a claim: Policyholders must submit a claim to Cigna in order to be reimbursed. Filling out a claim form and submitting it along with any required documentation, such as receipts or proof of enrollment in the gym or fitness programme, may be required.
  5. Wait for the claim to be processed: After filing a claim, policyholders must wait for it to be processed. Cigna will review the claim to see if it is eligible for reimbursement. If the claim is approved, Cigna will issue a reimbursement check or deposit the funds directly into the policyholder’s bank account.

How do I file a wellness claim with Cigna?

Policyholders should generally follow the steps outlined below to file a wellness claim with Cigna:

  1. Gather any necessary documentation: Policyholders must gather any necessary documentation, such as receipts or proof of enrollment in a gym or fitness programme. It’s a good idea to ask Cigna or their employer what documentation is needed to file a wellness claim.
  2. Fill out a claim form: To file a wellness claim with Cigna, policyholders must complete a claim form. The claim form may be available online or must be obtained from Cigna.
  3. Submit the claim form and documentation: After completing the claim form and gathering the necessary documentation, policyholders should submit the claim form and documentation to Cigna. This is usually done online, by mail, or by fax.
  4. Wait for the claim to be processed: Policyholders must wait for the claim to be processed after submitting the claim. Cigna will review the claim to see if it is eligible for reimbursement. If the claim is approved, Cigna will issue a reimbursement check or deposit the funds directly into the policyholder’s bank account.

It is important to note that the specifics of the wellness claim process may differ depending on the policy and the location of the policyholder. For more information on the claim submission process, policyholders should contact Cigna or their employer.

What does Cigna Healthy Rewards include?

Cigna Healthy Rewards is a Cigna wellness programme that gives policyholders access to a variety of wellness resources and tools, as well as discounts on health and wellness-related products and services. Cigna Healthy Rewards benefits may differ depending on the policy and the policyholder’s location. Benefits that may be included in Cigna Healthy Rewards include:

  1. Fitness discounts: Discounts on gym memberships, fitness classes, and other fitness-related products and services may be available to policyholders.
  2. Health and Wellness resources: Cigna Healthy Rewards may provide access to resources such as health and wellness articles, exercise and nutrition advice, and stress management tools.
  3. Discounts on health-related products and services: Policyholders may be eligible for discounts on health-related products and services such as health supplements, weight loss programmes, and smoking cessation products.
  4. Telehealth services: Cigna Healthy Rewards may include access to telehealth services, which allow policyholders to communicate with healthcare professionals remotely.

It’s important to note that Cigna Healthy Rewards details may differ depending on the policy and the policyholder’s location. For more information about the programme and the benefits available to them, policyholders should contact Cigna or their employer.

Cigna Healthy Rewards is a wellness programme that Cigna provides to its policyholders as a benefit. The cost of Cigna Healthy Rewards to employers may vary depending on the policy and the location of the employer. Employers may be required to pay a policy premium to cover the cost of the wellness programme and any other benefits included in the policy.

Employers may also be liable for any additional expenses incurred as a result of providing Cigna Healthy Rewards to their employees, such as the cost of enrolling employees in gym memberships or fitness classes. It should be noted that the cost of Cigna Healthy Rewards to employers varies depending on the specific policy and the number of employees enrolled in the programme. For more information on the cost of Cigna Healthy Rewards and any other costs associated with offering the programme to their employees, employers should contact Cigna or their insurance broker.

Should employers offer a wellness reimbursement program?

Employers may benefit from wellness reimbursements for a variety of reasons, including:

  1. Improved employee health: Offering wellness reimbursements can encourage employees to engage in healthy behaviours such as regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet. This can result in better overall health and well-being for employees, which can lead to lower healthcare costs and higher productivity.
  2. Increased employee satisfaction: Wellness reimbursements can be a valuable benefit for employees, contributing to higher levels of satisfaction. Employees who believe their employer cares about their health and well-being are more likely to be engaged and motivated at work.
  3. Cost savings: Employers may be able to reduce healthcare costs and absenteeism by encouraging employees to engage in healthy behaviours, which can lead to cost savings for the company.

Overall, wellness reimbursements can benefit both employers and employees by improving employee health and well-being, increasing employee satisfaction, and potentially saving the company money.

What is a more flexible, and user friendly way to do Reimbursements than Cigna?

Generally employers, and employees have these main pain points when dealing with the Cigna reimbursement programs:

  1. Users can only enroll in gyms, and/or facilities that are approved by Cigna. Therefore, users will be limited to a small cohort of facilities, and may not be able to be reimbursed for a facility or membership of their choosing
  2. Wellness reimbursement forms may provide a poor user experience. Some possible explanations include:
    1. Complexity: Wellness reimbursement forms can be complicated, with numerous fields to complete and supporting documentation to provide. Users may find this confusing and overwhelming, especially if they are unfamiliar with the process.
    2. Unclear instructions: Users may struggle to understand what information is required and how to provide it if the form does not provide clear instructions on how to complete it.
    3. Outdated design: Some wellness reimbursement forms may be difficult to use or navigate, such as those with small font sizes or cluttered layouts.
    4. Difficult to access: If the form is only available in hard copy or requires a user to log into a complex system in order to access it, this can create additional barriers for users.
    5. Long processing times: If it takes a long time for the form to be processed and users to receive their reimbursement, it can be frustrating and deter users from using the form again.
  3. Lack of customer support. Employees often complain about these key concerns:
    1. Long wait times: If employees have to wait a long time to get help, they may become irritated because they believe their time is being wasted.
    2. Inability to resolve issues: Employees may become frustrated and annoyed if they are unable to obtain the assistance they require to resolve issues with the form or their reimbursement.
    3. Lack of transparency: Employees may become frustrated and annoyed if they do not know the status of their reimbursement or why it is being delayed.

IncentFit’s lifestyle reimbursements product helps employers reimburse their employees for any purchases that an employer would like to include in their reimbursement program. This can include anything from gym memberships to tuition costs!

Our in-house customer service team is able to help your employees any step of the way, even though they won’t need any help with our easy-to-use mobile app. Your employees can upload their receipts directly from their phone, or computer, and our team will process their requests within a matter of hours! Feel free to schedule some time with our wellness experts to learn more about how you can set up a flexible reimbursement program that your employees will love!