The HSPH fitness benefit provides financial assistance to faculty, staff and post docs who wish to enhance their well being through physical activity. The benefit can be used to pay for memberships to health clubs and/or to purchase fitness equipment. Participation in a licensed behavioral weight management program and licensed stress management services are also covered. For more details on what is covered, see FY 2010 List of Eligible Fitness Benefit Items.
Apply for FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement
Most Frequently Asked Fitness Benefit Questions
FY 2010 List of Eligible Fitness Benefit Items
Are You Eligible for an Additional $150 Fitness Reimbursement?
Apply for FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement
Fiscal Year 2010
For valid purchases made between July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010, completed forms are due by 5:00 p.m. on July 15, 2010.
FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Form Instructions
FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Form
Forms and Instructions
Criteria for HSPH Fitness Benefit Receipt for FY 2010
Frequently Asked Fitness Benefit Questions
FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Form
FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Form Instructions
FY 2010 List of Eligible Fitness Benefit Items
How to View if You Have Received Your HSPH Fitness Benefit Reimbursement NEW!
New Fitness Item or Service Consideration Form for FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011)
Most Frequently Asked Fitness Benefit Questions
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Benefits-eligible faculty, staff and post doc members on the regular HSPH payroll who work at least 17.5 hours per week are eligible. You are also eligible if you receive benefits from HSPH. Since not all faculty and post docs are eligible for the benefit, you should check with Sarah Keeping, HR Administrative Assistant at skeeping@hsph.harvard.edu before submitting an application for reimbursement.
Q: What is the amount of reimbursement?
A: Your maximum benefit for the year is dependent on your years of service at Harvard, according to the following schedule:
Less than 5 years: $350.00
5 or more years: $550.00
Q. I submitted a fitness benefit application form for the amount of $350.00, but I have not yet received it. What do I do?
A. The fitness benefit reimbursement takes approximately four to six weeks to process. To check to see if you have received your fitness reimbursement, please visit PeopleSoft and use our handout to guide you on How to View if You Have Received Your HSPH Fitness Benefit Reimbursement. Please note that if you have multiple direct deposit accounts set up in PeopleSoft, your reimbursement amount will be allocated accordingly. If you do not see the bonus payment, you should contact Sarah Keeping, HR Administrative Assistant at skeeping@hsph.harvard.edu so that the matter may be investigated.
Q: I purchased a piece of equipment from an individual, rather than a company or retail store. Can I still get reimbursed? How do I go about applying for the reimbursement in this case?
A: Yes. You can still get reimbursed. However, you must provide all documentation as stated in the Private Sale section of Criteria for HSPH Fitness Benefit Receipt for FY 2010. All required documentation must be provided for your application to be processed. *Cash purchases are not eligible for reimbursement.
Q: I have bought a family membership to the YMCA. Can I be reimbursed for all of this or am I just authorized for reimbursement for my own use?
A: You can use the fitness benefit to pay for your family's membership at a health club. However, it must be a family membership. All other fitness items and services are available for reimbursement to HSPH benefits-eligible employees only.
Q. How are FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Forms reviewed and by whom?
A. The FY 2010 Fitness Benefit Reimbursement Forms are reviewed by HSPH Human Resources. After approval, they are sent to Financial Services for processing. Payments are processed as additional pay compensation. Reimbursement takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Fitness Benefit Questions
FY 2010 List of Eligible Fitness Benefit Items
What type of expense is eligible for reimbursement?
- Health or Athletic Membership (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Individual or Family Membership)
- Harvard facilities (e.g., Vanderbilt Hall Gym, Athletic Stickers)
- Private health club membership (e.g., Gold's Gym, Healthworks, Bally Gym, Fitcorp, Curves, etc.)
- Rock climbing gym membership
- Rowing membership
- Seasonal ski pass (no non-seasonal ski pass / ski club)
- Tennis membership
- YMCA/YWCA membership
- Fitness Instruction (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Employee Only)
- Aerobics: including spinning, step aerobics, water aerobics, kick-boxing, swimming classes
- Dance Instruction classes
- Harvard fitness and wellness classes
- Sessions with a certified personal fitness trainer
- Wii Fitness Video (one per fiscal year- this only includes the video)
- Workout Videos/DVDs
- Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Martial Arts classes
- Weight and Stress Management (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Employee Only)
- Acupuncture treatment (only with a licensed acupuncturist)
- Behavioral weight management classes and online courses (e.g. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig)
- Harvard wellness programs
- Massage therapy (only with a licensed massage therapist)
- Fitness Equipment (types)
- Items available for reimbursement once per fiscal year (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Employee Only)
- Exercise ball
- Exercise mat
- Free weights
- Heart rate monitor
- Pedometer
- Therapeutic massagers
- Fitness Equipment (continued)
- Items available for reimbursement once every 3 fiscal years (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Employee Only)
- Bicycle, Bicycle Helmet (Helmet eligible only with purchase of bicycle)
- Bicycle resistance attachment
- Bicycle trailer for children
- Canoe, Paddles, Helmet, Life Jacket (Paddles, Helmet, and Life Jacket eligible only with purchase of Canoe)
- Elliptical machine
- Jogging stroller
- Kayak, Paddles, Helmet, Life Jacket (Paddles, Life Jacket, and Helmet eligible only with purchase of Kayak)
- Muscle toning machine
- Nordic-Track machine
- Pilates trainer
- Resistance bench
- Rollerblades, Helmet, Pads (Helmet and Pads eligible only with purchase of Rollerblades)
- Rowing machine
- Skis and ski boots (Boots eligible only with purchase of Skis)
- Snow shoes
- Snowboard and snowboarding boots (Boots eligible only with purchase of Snowboard)
- Stationary bicycle
- Tennis racquet
- Treadmill
- Wii Fit (Balance board, Wii Fit Videogame)
- Items available for reimbursement once per fiscal year (HSPH Benefits-Eligible Employee Only)
The following items and services are not approved for reimbursement under the HSPH Fitness Benefit*:
- Equipment maintenance, accessories, service plans
- Fitness apparel, accessories, shoes, boots, sneakers, etc.
- Gratuities
- Recreational items such as basketballs, baseballs, tennis balls, games, hula hoops, etc.
- Shipping and handling fees
*To suggest an item for consideration for the next fiscal year, please complete a Harvard School of Public Health New Fitness Item or Service Consideration Form for FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) and send it to Sarah Keeping at skeeping@hsph.harvard.edu or drop it off at the HSPH HR Office at 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 505.
If you have any questions regarding the Fitness Benefit please contact Sarah Keeping, HR Administrative Assistant at skeeping@hsph.harvard.edu or refer to our Frequently Asked Fitness Benefit Questions.
Are You Eligible for an Additional $150 Fitness Reimbursement?
You may be eligible for an additional $150 fitness reimbursement from your health care provider. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) and Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP) both offer a $150 fitness reimbursement to enrolled staff who have been a member of a qualifying health club for at least four consecutive months. To learn more, visit the HUGHP and HPHC websites.