1.
Q: What is the ExerciseRewardsTM program and what does it mean to me?
A: The ExerciseRewards program encourages and supports you with online tools and monetary
reimbursement for using a fitness facility. Through ExerciseRewards, you have the opportunity to receive
reimbursement for qualified fitness facility dues and/or individual class fees at a qualified fitness
facility. Once you and your spouse/domestic partner complete the required fitness facility visits and/
or individual classes, specified by your benefit, you and your spouse or domestic partner will be eligible
for reimbursement. In addition, you will have access to online trackers, calendars, videos, and more to
support your exercise efforts.
2.
Q: Who do I contact for assistance with my ExerciseRewards program?
A: For questions about the ExerciseRewards program website, status of reimbursement requests, or
redeeming reimbursement, call 877.810.2746.
3.
Q: Can anyone participate in ExerciseRewards?
A: ExerciseRewards is a fitness facility reimbursement program available only to members who have
an eligible Excellus BlueCross BlueShield plan. Only the Subscriber and the Subscriber’s Covered
spouse (or domestic partner if the Group has purchased this coverage) are eligible for this benefit. By
“Covered” we mean that the spouse/domestic partner must be enrolled in the Excellus BCBS Medical
Plan as a health plan member. Covered dependents are not eligible regardless of age.
4.
Q: Who do I contact for help with plan benefits or coverage?
A: For questions about your plan benefits or coverage, email Customer Service or call the Member
Customer Service on the back of your member ID card.
5.
Q. What about family fitness facility memberships? Can I be reimbursed for them?
A: We would reimburse the member the amount and divide by 12 if it is an annual membership.
However, 2 family members could not be reimbursed for the same time periods. For example, if the one
family member (Member 1) submitted requests for January-March, we would reimburse those months
accordingly. However, if another family member (Member 2) submits a request for the same period, the
Member 2 would not be paid for those months since Member 1 was reimbursed. If Member 2
decides to submit for April-June and Member 1 did not submit for reimbursement, then Member 2
would be reimbursed.
6.
Q: How does the program work?
A: The ExerciseRewards program offers a national network of fitness facilities, most of which offer
a minimum 10% discount off the initiation and/or monthly dues. You may visit
www.excellusbcbs.com/exerciserewards to find a fitness facility that meets your needs, or choose a
qualified facility that is not in the ExerciseRewards network.
Qualifying facilities must offer regular cardiovascular, flexibility, and/or resistance training exercise
programs and/or may include instructor-led classes (such as Zumba®, Pilates, “step” classes, yoga,
aqua, etc.), must offer a membership agreement, must be open to the public, and must have staff
oversight. Staff oversight means that during normal hours of operations, the fitness facility has
employees that oversee the operations of the facility and attend to members. Fitness facilities within an
apartment or hotel that do not have staff oversight are examples of facilities that do not meet
this definition.
You must exercise at least 50 times every 6 month period (based on when your/your group’s health
insurance plan begins) in order to be reimbursed up to $200. Your spouse/domestic partner must
exercise 50 times every 6 months in order to be reimbursed up to $100. In order to be eligible for
reimbursement, you and your spouse/domestic partner must document your visits using the log
that will be provided to you (or obtain a printout from the facility). Once the reimbursement period
has ended, you will have 120 days after the last day of your reimbursement period to submit your
reimbursement request. Once 120 days have passed after the reimbursement period, any additional
requests received will be denied due to submission timeframes.
7.
Q: How do I take advantage of the online tools?
A: You may visit www.excellusbcbs.com/exerciserewards and register for an account. Once you are
registered on the website, you may download all forms and logs, use online exercise and food planners,
read health articles, and search for local fitness facilities, as well as access many other great features.
8.
Q: How do I get reimbursed?
A: To receive your reimbursement at the end of each reimbursement period, you must complete
50 required visits and/or individual exercise classes at the facility, and then submit the following
documents to ExerciseRewards, no later than 120 days after the end of the reimbursement period.
• Completed Fitness Facility Member Verification Form (fitness facility must complete)
• Proof of payment showing name of facility, your name, dates of service or number of classes
covered, and payment amount
• Completed Reimbursement Request Form
• Printout from the facility showing the required visits/classes or the log on the Reimbursement
Request Form must be completed
Forms are available at www.excellusbcbs.com/exerciserewards or by calling 877.810.2746.
9.
Q: What is the reimbursement amount?
A: You will receive up to $200 reimbursement for fitness facility dues and/or individual class fees per
reimbursement period. Your spouse/domestic partner is eligible to receive up to $100 reimbursement
for fitness facility dues and/or individual class fees each reimbursement period. Reimbursement periods
consist of two (2) six (6) month periods beginning on the first day of your medical benefit year. For each
medical benefit year, you may receive up to $400 reimbursement and your spouse/domestic partner
may receive up to $200 reimbursement.
10. Q: When should I expect to receive my reimbursement?
A: Reimbursements are paid within 30 days after ExerciseRewards receives all required and
completed documentation at the end of the reimbursement period. If you submit incomplete or invalid
documentation, the reimbursement will not be approved and you will receive a notice, within 30 days of
receipt, indicating the reason your reimbursement was not approved.
11. Q: In what form will my reimbursement come?
A: Reimbursements will be paid in the form of a check. Reimbursement checks will be made
payable to the requester (either subscriber or spouse/domestic partner) and will be mailed to the
address on record.
12. Q: Which fitness facilities qualify for reimbursement?
A: For a fitness facility to qualify, it must offer regular cardiovascular, flexibility, and/or resistance
training exercise programs or may include instructor-led classes (such as Zumba®, Pilates, “step”
classes, yoga, aqua, etc.), must have staff oversight, must be open to the public and must offer a
membership agreement.
Examples of excluded facilities that do not qualify for member-reimbursement include, but are not
limited to, the following:
• Services and activities such as rehabilitation services, physical therapy services, country clubs,
social clubs or sports teams and leagues
• Dues or fees for participating in aerobic/fitness activities not in a qualified fitness facility, as
well as fees for personal training, lessons (e.g., tennis and swimming), coaching, and exercise
equipment or clothing purchases
• Facilities outside of the United States
• Exercise sessions at fitness facilities where there is no staff oversight (e.g., facilities in apartment
buildings or hotels)
• Facilities not open to the public
• Exercise sessions before your eligibility date
13. Q: What fitness facilities and health clubs are part of the ExerciseRewards network?
A: To determine what fitness facilities are included in the ExerciseRewards network you can:
• Visit our Excellus BCBS website at www.excellusbcbs.com/exerciserewards to view the list of
participating fitness facilities.
• Select login and then click on “Find a Fitness Facility”.
• Contact ExerciseRewards Customer Service by calling 877.810.2746, Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.
14. Q. What if the fitness facility I typically use is not in the ExerciseRewards network?
A: If the fitness facility that you use is not a participating ExerciseRewards facility it isn’t a problem. If it
meets the fitness facility qualifications, our program will enable you to continue using the facility of your
choice and you will be reimbursed. If you require assistance with a facility membership reimbursement
request please call the ExerciseRewards Customer Service toll-free at 877.810.2746, Monday through
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.
15. Q: What if my facility does not participate and would like to?
A: You may nominate your preferred fitness facility by contacting ExerciseRewards, with the facility
information. They will reach out to the facility within 48 hours and begin the contracting process which
can take anywhere from 30-90 days.
16. Q: Are individual classes eligible for reimbursement?
A: Starting January 1, 2015, individual fitness classes will now be eligible for reimbursement under
the ExerciseRewards program. Work out or attend a class at a qualifying fitness facility 50 times each
6-month period within your benefit plan year, and you’ll be reimbursed up to $200 of your fitness
facility dues and/or individual class fees. Members can be reimbursed for individual fitness classes,
fitness facility dues, or a combination of both up to the allowed amount.
17. Q: What happens if I complete my fitness facility visits earlier than six months?
A: You must complete a minimum of 50 visits per six-month period. Reimbursements will not be
issued until the six-month period has passed, even if 50 visits are completed sooner than six months.
18. Q: What happens if I attend more than one fitness facility during a six-month period?
A: Have your fitness facility complete a Fitness Facility Member Verification Form for each fitness
facility you attended during a benefit period. The same documentation is required from each facility:
• Proof of payment showing your name, your fitness facility’s name, the payment amount, and
the dates for which payment is being applied, and
• Proof of your workout visits.
M930-095C-EXC (09/14) © 2014 American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). All rights reserved. ExerciseRewards is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of ASH.
ExerciseRewards and the ExerciseRewards logo are trademarks of ASH. Other names or logos may be trademarks of their respective owners.