eBrief
- Faculty
and staff edition
Weight Loss Program Information:
Don't "Weight" for the New Year to Improve Your Health
Whether you would like to look a bit better or you are seriously concerned about your health, losing weight can be challenging. There is no magic formula for taking off pounds. You need to decrease the calories you consume, increase the calories you burn or both. The good news is that your health plan is ready to help.
State Health Plan - Blue Cross Weight Management Program
On January 1, 2007, State Health Plan subscribers and their dependents age 18 and older are eligible to participate, at no charge, in the Blue Cross Weight Management Program. After your eligibility for the program
is established, you will receive Picture-Perfect Weight Loss: The Visual Program for Permanent Weight Loss, a log for evaluating your eating habits, a grocery guide, a pedometer, a tape measure and some sugar-free
gum. A nurse-counselor will call you to answer your questions and help you figure out which weight-loss strategies will work best for you.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2007, Lissa Shine of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina will offer a workshop about the program.
If you are interested in attending the workshop, please complete the attached registration form and fax it back to
Prevention Partners at 737-0557.
For more information, contact Diane Conte, MSPH at 737-3822 or dconte@eip.sc.gov
Tobacco Cessation Programs Information
The State Health Plan Offers Support, Tips and a Plan for Tobacco Users Hoping to Quit for the New Year
Is your New Year's resolution to quit tobacco? Start planning now to begin the New Year tobacco-free. Quitting tobacco is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. While less than five percent of tobacco
users will succeed in quitting on their own, average quit rates for phone-based programs range between 25 and 35 percent.
If you are a State Health Plan subscriber or covered dependent who want to quit using tobacco please call the quitline at 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (784-8454).
Free nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gum or lozenges, are available through Free and Clear*
Over 2000 participants have called the Free and Clear Quitline since its inception in January 2006.
By calling the Quitline for help today, a professionally trained Quit Coach can prepare participants to:
- Prepare for their quit date
- Design an individualized quit plan
- Learn how to smoke proof their living environment
- Gain skills to handle social situations that may involve tobacco
- Work with allies for support.
- Provide decision support for medication to help with withdrawal symptoms
Quit Coaches have over 90 hours of specialized training in tobacco dependence treatment and many Quit Coaches are former smokers themselves.
Enrolling in the Quit for Life Program is free, confidential and easy.
Prepare for a Happy and Healthy New Year. Contact Free and Clear today!
Call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (784-8454).
Tobacco Cessation Programs
1. The State Health Plan Subscribers and Dependents
Program Name: Free and Clear* Quit For Life(tm) Program
Contact Information: 1-866-784-8454 or go online at
www.freeclear.com
Cost: Free to all State Health Plan Subscribers and Dependents
2. Blue Choice and MUSC Options Subscribers
Program Name: Great Expectation for Smokers
Contact Information: *1-800-327-3183 Ext. 25541
www.bluechoicesc.com/internet/chca/chc/contmgr.nsf (type in Smoking Cessation in search box)
3. CIGNA Subscribers
Program Name: Healthyroads for Living
Contact Information: 1-800-244-6224
3. DHEC-sponsored program for tobacco cessation
SC Tobacco Quitline
Campaign Name: Quit for Keeps
Cost: Free
Available to all residents of SC
Contact information: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
Website: www.scdhec.gov/quitforkeeps
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