Health club and gym membership fees for treating a medical condition are eligible with a doctor’s note. Even though exercising has many health benefits, gym memberships to maintain your general health and wellness are not eligible medical expenses, according to the IRS. Below, we’ll detail what information you’ll need to provide to receive your reimbursement hassle-free!
What does “health club” refer to?
Health clubs or gyms provide amenities for physical exercise. Facilities with a significant recreational element are not eligible. Ineligible examples include: golf club memberships, clubs with spas and other recreational facilities, and dance/swim lessons.
What documentation should I provide?
When you submit your expense, your documentation must show the following:
- How much were you charged?
- What did you pay for?
- When you paid OR the membership period
- Your doctor’s note
You may provide a combination of your membership contract, monthly bill, a letter or email from the facility’s receptionist, or two consecutive payments in addition to your doctor’s note. When inputting the date of service, you may select the payment date or the membership start date. Your documentation should support the date you use. If you attach payment receipts, please ensure they show the name or title of your health club or gym.
What to include in your doctor’s note
Your note must include the date your doctor wrote it, who wrote it, the diagnosis or a statement of medical necessity, and that the gym membership or health club is medically necessary to treat or alleviate that condition. The recommendation must specifically mention a gym membership. Other phrases that work are health club dues, structured exercise program, fitness program, personal trainer, and yoga. Recommendations for "exercise" don’t meet this requirement because it isn't specific enough. For more information, see the following article: Doctor's Note Requirements
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do I need to attach my doctor’s note each time I submit for reimbursement?
- Yes.
Q. Will my gym note work to reimburse me for a personal trainer?
- Yes, a note recommending a health club, gym membership, or structured exercise program will also work for a personal trainer.
Q. I pay using Venmo, PayPal, Square, etc. Does this meet the requirement?
- No. Because the payer writes the memos, we consider them to be self-attestation. If you pay this way, please provide one of the other options above.
Q. Are enrollment fees/annual charges eligible?
- Yes!
Q. I need clothing, shoes, or other equipment to use at my gym. Are these eligible expenses?
- No. These items are considered personal use items and aren’t eligible.
Q. Will my expense automatically verify each month?
- No, you must submit a new expense each time you pay.
Q. Can I submit a request for a family gym membership?
- If everyone on the membership has a doctor’s note, you may. Otherwise, we can only verify the single-member rate for the person the doctor wrote the note.
Q. Can I be reimbursed for my transportation to and from my gym?
- Yes. You should provide a record or letter from your gym showing when you visited, your doctor’s note, and travel information.
Q. Can my chiropractor write me a doctor’s note?
- No, we do not accept notes from chiropractors. Each state has different regulations for chiropractors, and we adhere to federal policies.
Q. Can my doctor’s note for a gym membership work to verify Pilates/yoga classes?
- Yes, a note recommending a health club, gym membership, or structured exercise program will also work for these or similar exercise programs.
Q. Are online/virtual fitness services eligible?
- Yes, they would also require a doctor’s note.
Q. My doctor's note recommends a "gym membership," does this work for fitness apps?
- Yes.