Understanding Health Plan Wellness Credits: A Simple Guide for Employees

Have you heard of wellness credits or health plan wellness credits? In 2025, these benefits are gaining traction in the United States as part of a new approach to encouraging healthy habits and reducing long-term healthcare costs.

If you have a health plan, especially one offered through an employer, it’s worth understanding how these credits work, what they cover, and how to make the most of them.

What are wellness credits?

Wellness credits are amounts (typically between $100 and $1,000 per year) that your health plan or employer offers you to invest in your physical and mental health.

Instead of being paid directly in cash, they function as reimbursements or discounts for activities and products related to your wellness.

These credits are part of wellness programs promoted by insurance companies such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and others.

They align with a more preventative approach to health, encouraging healthy behaviors with financial benefits.

How will they work in 2025?

This year, the rules are more flexible and more digital. Most plans allow credits to be used for:

• Gyms and fitness studios (including apps like Peloton, Apple Fitness+, or ClassPass);
• Health monitoring equipment, such as smartwatches and blood pressure monitors;
• Mental health services, such as online therapist appointments or app subscriptions like Calm or Headspace;
• Nutrition classes or weight loss programs, such as Noom and WW (Weight Watchers);
• Yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes;
• Registration for sporting events, such as road races, trails, or walking groups.

Most refunds require proof (invoice or digital statement), and there is an annual limit for each category.

Some companies are already integrating this process into their own apps, allowing you to control and request refunds directly from your phone.

Who is eligible for health plan wellness credits?

More and more health plans in the United States are offering wellness credits, but eligibility still depends on the type of plan you have. See below who typically has access to this benefit:

• Employees with a corporate health plan: most medium and large companies already include wellness credits as part of their benefits package. In general, employees don’t need to pay anything extra to access them, just follow the instructions from HR or the company’s health portal.

• Individual plan users (Marketplace or private): some insurers operating on Healthcare.gov and private platforms have also started offering wellness programs with credits. However, this isn’t a rule for all plans, so it’s worth checking directly with your provider;

• Dependents included in the health plan: spouses, children, and other dependents may have access to the same credits as the policyholder, depending on the insurer’s rules. In some cases, the amount is shared among plan members; In others, there is an individual limit per person;

• Participants in specific preventive health programs: some plans offer extra credits for those who participate in activities such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, nutritional assessments, or physical activity goals. These bonuses are usually offered through apps or portals linked to the plan.

The rules vary by company or insurer. Therefore, it’s best to visit your health plan’s website or contact HR to confirm if you’re eligible and how to start using your credits.

Conclusion

Health plan wellness credits are gaining prominence in 2025 as an affordable and effective way to invest in your own health.

They allow you to take care of your body and mind with greater autonomy, reducing costs and encouraging healthy daily habits.

Whether through reimbursements for gym memberships, meditation apps, or nutritional monitoring, this benefit represents a real opportunity to live a more balanced and quality life—without breaking the bank.

If you’re not yet using your wellness credits, now is the perfect time to learn more about your plan, understand your rights, and start taking advantage of everything it can offer for your well-being.