Does Medicare Cover Exercise Bikes?

Exercise bikes are often used to try to help a person lose weight and improve their health. It also boosts a person’s cardio fitness which lowers blood pressure, improves blood sugar levels, and strengthens the immune system. These health benefits can help in preventing many medical conditions.

So a common question people who want to buy an exercise bike have is, “does Medicare cover exercise bikes?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of exercise bikes and other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Exercise Bikes?

The short answer is no. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of exercise bikes. That said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your exercise bike.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for exercise bikes. So that means you will have to pay 100 percent of the cost of your exercise bike. Original Medicare does not provide coverage for exercise bikes because they mainly cover medically necessary services, equipment, and treatment.

Medicare and Exercise Bikes

Original Medicare does not provide coverage for fitness equipment such as exercise bikes. That is because Original Medicare largely excludes weight loss supplements, equipment, and programs from its coverage. The reason for that is because these types of things are viewed as lifestyle choices rather than medically necessary treatment for an illness.

Part C Coverage for Exercise Bikes

Just like with Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) also do not provide coverage for exercise bikes. These plans cover everything Original Medicare covers however also offer many additional benefits. Exactly what they cover and how much the coverage costs will vary from plan to plan.

While they don’t cover the costs of an exercise bike for your home, some Medicare Part C plans provide coverage for gym and fitness memberships. Your Medicare Part C plan may offer gym membership plans or membership discounts for your overall health and wellness.

How Much Does An Exercise Bike Cost?

An exercise bike may cost from $500 to $1,900. One of the things that will affect the costs of an exercise bike is its type. Connected exercise bikes are usually more expensive with their costs ranging from $1,500 to $1,900. On the other hand, non-connected exercise bikes usually range from $500 to $1,000.

What Are The Benefits Of An Exercise Bike?

For starters, an exercise bike can help in losing unnecessary weight. Just like with regular bikes, using an exercise bike can also help in improving cardiovascular health. It also trains the muscles and bones without putting too much pressure on them. Using an exercise bike can be an easy and low impact way to live a more active life.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.