AARP/UHC Renew Active change for 2025

[js22]

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.

[KenB354896]

Greed is Good

According to recent reports, UnitedHealthcare (part of UnitedHealth Group) reported a net profit of approximately $22.4 billion in 2023

[TerriM890870]

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@DavidG962812 wrote:

I'm in agreement with you. I believe UHC corporate instituted a number of cost cutting measures (eg: increased co-pays, no OTC dollars, no reward dollars & no premium gym memberships) based upon their internal accounting data. Simpler to just cut the budget line item versus the time and cost to negotiate with a hundred different gym owners, with 17,000 locations, to decide what dollars to offer and who to retain.

My wife and I will probably move from UHC to an Aetna Advantage plan with Silver Sneakers which currently says they will cover a Lifetime Fitness membership for 2025. I've spoken to Aetna, Silver Sneakers and Lifetime. All say a membership is covered. Lifetime also offered an attractive membership discount if we weren't able to find a plan that covered them. 

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It is because of increase cost to them by the inflation reduction act so they looked at areas to reduce costS

[JillR908616]

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. 

[PeggyA147789]

 I called United. They don't care at all. There is not even a place register a complaint. Pathetic!

[sm13058948]

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

[joehai]

We need to service this to the media! Who have you contacted. Maybe I can help service the press with you.

[LisaT742060]

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

[sm13058948]

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

[PeggyA147789]

 And who is the best person to complain to?

[sm13058948]

I created a petition if you would like to sign. It will be delivered to UHC

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

[LisaT742060]

Thanks I signed 

[sm13058948]

Thanks so much - I don’t know if it will help but doing nothing is what they hope. And making separate attempts helps but if we get enough signatures, I will send to them

[PaulaD181630]

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.

[js22]

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

[ChrisO646446]

Yes we still have Lifetime Fitness as an option here in Illinois.

[js22]

Same here. Maybe it depends where in  NC you live.

[sm13058948]

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

[LisaT742060]

I wish they would’ve retained them all like EXERCISE COACH and stretch lab but I think they did retain lifetime fitness. It’s a bit ridiculous they don’t retain all for the price you pay and technically only pay 20% of bills. 

[js6246]

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

[k682309m]

I go to strech lab, exercise coach, and osteo strong and they were all notified in the last several days that they can no longer participate in active renew.  I'm in St. Louis

[MYCAH]

So you are saying UHC dropped the gyms or the corporate that owns all those brands dumped the program?   

[GerrySavage]

I'm in Virginia and  just got my letter in the mail today notifying me that OrangeTheory Fitness will no longer be included in the RenewActive plan. I'm on UHC Plan G supplement. I am so disappointed!! If they want people to stay active and healthy, then include the gyms that have programs that help you do that. 

[PaulaD181630]

NC is the same. Not happy about it. I like Orange Theory better than these big gyms. May change to a cheaper supplemental g plan. Why pay the higher premium for UHC.

[LisaT742060]

Especially for seniors 

[LoriK241844]

OK,

Doing my research--was very upset since I go to both Club Pilates and Yoga Six--I pay for some extra classes via "specials" to get lower prices to go at least two times a week to each. I am in San Diego area for half the year and NJ the rest (long story) and found out I can go to LA Fitness in both states for 2025. They have yoga and pilates, as well as a nice pool and other classes.

It is still annoying to find out there is yet another premium increase while AARP is shouting about keeping costs down and advocating for seniors. Will this increase be worth it if I still have to pay extra for Pilates in my community where I have made friends, etc.? 

BTW Yoga with Adriene is free on You Tube!

Still waiting on my letter from AARP--I did get notified by Club Pilates.

Just happy I am well enough to use these programs!!!!

Regards,

Lori

[JillR908616]

 I have been on United Healthcare medicare advantage with Calpers since May 2023.  The Renew Active benefit is amazing. We have used Club Pilates twice a week, Exercise Coach once a week and Stretch Lab once a week. I was never contacted about the loss of the premium gyms and only heard about it yesterday from one of the Club Pilates studios.  I spent the whole morning calling United Healthcare and Calpers.  Our Calpers open enrollment ended in Oct, so we can't even change plans.  I will NEVER use United Healthcare again.  I was told by their reps (who also didn't know about the change) to complain and tell everyone else that I know that doesn't like this to complain as well.  So I'm putting this out here.  Call the customer service number on your healthcare card and tell them you want to submit a grievance.  This appears to be the only way we might possibly get it back. We are probably saving $1000 a month for two people and we don't get this for free.  Our rates went UP $100 PER PERSON in 2025 so we are now paying  over $700 each!!  I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure.  Call and COMPLAIN about this loss!

[LisaT742060]

I was going to pick them for my supplement, I am going to call them and tell them now I am not going to use them. I am so pissed off.  The whole reason I was going to choose them was because of EXERCISE COACH

[k682309m]

Totally hear you!  but I can't find another carrier who has anything similar!

[JenniferG108816]

Look for OPTUM - they are the provider of these programs. The product is  called One Pass.

[js22]

I received a response to my email about renew active gyms for 2025. They did tell me about the gyms that are no longer part of the renew active network, but neglected to tell me how we know if premium gyms are available in our plan.

here’s what they said about the gyms not available thru renew active in 2025:

Starting January 1, 2025, some gyms and fitness locations will no longer be available through the Renew Active gym

The below gyms will no longer be offered through the fitness network after December 31, 2024.

Orangetheory Fitness

The Exercise Coach

Locations owned by Xponential Fitness

Club Pilates

CycleBar

Stretch Lab

Pure Barre

YogaSix Rumble

To use the Renew Active wellness extra you will need to go to a gym is the facility network.

You can go to www.uhcrenewactive.com to locate participating gyms. Please note the above list will still show on the network until 12/31/2024.

they failed to explain why advantage plan members have received a letter over 3 weeks ago explaining about the changes  to gym locations for Renew Active, but people on supplements have not .