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Conversationalist ⭐
November 13, 2024

AARP/UHC Renew Active change for 2025

  • November 13, 2024
  • 309 replies
  • 157246 views

I was told by The Exercise Coach this morning that AARP/UHC has removed them as a gym for Renew Active for 2025.

I have looked online at Medicare.gov  as well as the AARP/UHC Plan G for 2025 but not seeing anything that specifies that there will be changes for 2025, other than premium.

I called AARP/UHC customer service and was assured that The Exercise Coach  was still an available gym for me for 2025.

I found a YouTube video that talks about 2025 changes to renew active. He read a letter that UHC sent to a renew active member over 2 weeks ago. What it stated was that gyms listed as premium locations will no longer be part of Renew Active. The YouTube video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gEIIHEES70 about the 3:39 time mark. He did do a follow up video that indicated that removal of premium gyms was location based.

I have not received any communication from AARP/UHC about this. I emailed them to ask if it is true that premium gyms are being dropped and how do we know what locations are keeping premium gyms for Renew Active.

    309 replies

    Contributor ⭐
    December 1, 2024

    Here are the steps to submit an appeal online:

    1) While logged on into your online account, click on the
    COVERAGE AND BENEFITS tab
    2) Click on PLAN DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES sub tab
    3) Scroll down until you see the heading FORMS AND
    RESOURCES
    4) Click on the arrow to the right of OTHER RESOURCES
    5) Here, you will see the first link is for the Appeals
    and Grievances process information, but the second link,
    Medicare Plan Appeals and Grievances Form (Online), is
    to submit the appeal online. The third link is to print
    and send in the form.

    If you prefer to send in an appeal by mail, you will
    print out the third link and send it to:

    Appeals & Grievance Department
    PO Box 6106
    MS CA124-0157
    Cypress, CA 90630
    or fax to: 888-517-7113

    Appeals must be submitted within 60 calendar days of the
    denial notice or Cost Sharing Dispute. Requests for an
    appeal must be sent in writing. A decision will be made
    regarding your appeal within 60 days of the plan
    receiving your request.

    Submit an Appeal Online
    https://memberforms.uhc.com/MR-AppealsandGrievance.html

    Contributor ⭐
    December 4, 2024

    After enrolling in Life Time Fitness just a few days ago, I was told by the facility's manager today that UHC MA will be dropping Life Time for 2025.  LIfe Time is a Premium location according to UHC website.  I just started to believe that the program will be beneficial to me and now I am left wondering if UHC cares at all about its members or more about its bottom line.  I will sign the petition but can you please update it to include Life Time Fitness in the list of facilities being dropped for 2025?  Thanks.  TKM

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    December 29, 2024

    My wife and I left our UHC Advantage plans because we received letters from them stating premium gyms (like LifeTime Fitness) would not be covered in 2025. LifeTime confirmed that also. We changed our Advantage plan to Aetna whose Silver Sneakers does provide a LifeTime membership, and we have signed up. Interestingly, a friend at LifeTime left her Cigna plan that would no longer cover LifeTime for a 2025 UHC Advantage plan and got her LifeTime membership covered. So, I have no clue how Medicare Advantage plan providers determine who gets what covered. 🤦‍♂️

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 30, 2024

    I don’t know if it will help but I created a Change.org petition- ashamed they did not let us know during Open Enrollment and I am sorry for studios and gyms - and us

     

    Bring Back YMCAs and Other Premium Locations to Renew Active for 2025!

    AARP @UHC UnitedHealthcare
    Please sign this Change.org petition I just posted - and share https://chng.it/Lbnx9ZGJWc

     

    November 30, 2024

    You might also try posting your petition drive on Reddit too because if seems UHC removing some of these special gyms from the Renew Active program is also a hot discussion on Reddit.

    Reddit - Aarp canceled orangetheory 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 30, 2024

    Thank you - I did post on several threads on Reddit. And on Facebook.

     

    Please share the link. And ask everyone to sign

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 29, 2024

    I am disappointed to learn that the Renew Active plan will no longer covers Club Pilates and Pure Barre, as these were key reasons for my enrollment. Come on, AARP—you are supposed to support us! 

    To AARP/United Health Care Renew Active -- please reconsider and put them back on the list. 

     

     

    Contributor ⭐
    November 29, 2024

    Agree!  I found out today that the UHC plan I signed up for in October will no longer cover The Exercise Coach in 2025.  This was a primary consideration when I signed up.  I’m very upset that AARP did not have our backs on this.  It genuinely feels like a bait and switch.  I’ll write to Consumer Reports since AARP is not being straightforward about this issue.  I was not informed by AARP or UHC.

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 29, 2024

    Agree only reason I was joining in Jan. Not now

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 29, 2024
    • This is being driven to changes, made to Medicare supplement plans in the inflation reduction act. Therefore, companies are finding way other ways to cut cost to offset the changes made.
    Contributor ⭐
    November 26, 2024

    Just spent over 31 minutes trying to get an answer and can't get anywhere. They are useless. Can't tell me anything about who is in charge of Renew Active. What a joke. Total chaos on how this happened and why. It is hard to believe that these clubs do not want this vast amount of business. Infuriating. Each side blames the other. 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 26, 2024

    Seems to me that if you buy your UHC plan from AARP, you should complain to them about it as well. That is why I went to Calpers, since they are the company that offers this to me. It VERY infuriating. 

    Contributor ⭐
    November 26, 2024

    i submitted my complaint through the contact button on the website.  ChatGPT was very helpful in crafting my response

    Contributor ⭐
    November 26, 2024

    Does anyone have a specific email address to lodge a complaint with UHC for eliminating these programs?  I'm concerned a message to the general address will just get lost.  Thanks.

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 26, 2024

    I just called the number on my card. You can ask to have your complaint escalated as well. They call it submitting a grievance and I was told that that’s probably the only way they may back off of this decision. They need to hear that we are all very unhappy about this. 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 26, 2024

    I just spent 25 min on the phone with UHC to submit a grievance for my wife and me. The reps that answer your call don't have the details necessary to submit the grievance and put you on hold to check with a manager. Otherwise, they are very polite and have been told to talk about the other very good gyms in the area that they still cover.

    We're moving to Aetna with Silver Sneakers that will cover our Lifetime Fitness membership in Atascocita, TX 

    Contributor ⭐
    November 25, 2024

    Nov 24   Posted on Renew active -     Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Orangetheory Fitness, The Exercise Coach and Xponential Fitness brands including Club Pilates, CycleBar, StretchLab, Rumble, Pure Barre and YogaSix will no longer be in the Renew Active fitness network.       I do not think UHC dropped them I think they dropped UHC  compensation not enough, and they need to reconcile at the end of each month to bill the insurance for the sessions,  probably a lot of work, not worth the trouble  

     

    NO NOTICE FROM AARP or UHC,  I belong to Club pilates thur renew active, when were they going to tell us??

     

       

     

     

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 25, 2024

    The clubs definitely DID NOT drop UHC, I have been told by Club Pilates manager, Exercise Coach franchise owner and Stretch Lab manager that they are upset and devastated by this news as some clubs have many Renew Active members, which has helped them financially. It will be a significant loss to them. Please call UHC and tell them to reinstate the program. 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 25, 2024

    Maybe if we all complain to UHC it might help. Who knows. Worth a try. 

    Contributor ⭐
    November 22, 2024

    North Carolina all the premium gyms gone for 2025. Just the big box gyms.

     

    I am now going to look at other less expensive supplemental plans if the premium I am paying for united healthcare doesn’t include the better gym choices.

    js22Author
    Conversationalist ⭐
    December 8, 2024

    I have a supplement in NC and I still have premium gyms other than the ones they specified would not be available in 2025.

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    December 8, 2024

    My agent said Supplement plans retain Premium Locations - not Advantage plans. 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    November 22, 2024

    I was just notified by EC and have not received the letter yet. I believe we will be notified by UHC. I was told it will also include Club Pilates & Stretch Lab. My husband & I participate in all 3 of these. We live in MN