In the spirit of opening doors to better health and wellness, the North Carolina Medical Society Employee Benefit Plan (NCMS Plan) provides coverage for Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less, a fifteen (15) week weight management program
that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less Online is a component of each member’s preventive care benefits and covered at no charge. Members access the program in an interactive, real-time classroom format led by a credentialed Registered Dietitian (RD) instructor. Members select the class that best suits their schedule – lunchtime and evening classes are available. Since January 2015, 330 NCMS Plan members from 46 medical practices have participated in the program with an average weight loss of 7 pounds of those that ‘completed’ the program (completion defined as attending at least 10 out of 15 classes).
One of many success stories from the NCMS Plan’s-Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less partnership is from Rick, Director of Managed Care for Allergy Partners in Asheville. He participated in the program as a covered benefit under this partnership.
“If I can prevent a heart attack or an early symptom detected in others I would feel blessed to do it. The ER doctor I saw has told me I’m lucky to be alive with where the blockages was located. The scary part is the pain was not intense at all. Had I not been informed, I would have probably disregarded the symptoms and who knows what the outcome would have been. I began my Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less class in October 2015. I was making very good progress and starting to faithfully increase my cardio workout when I had a heart attack. Yes, on 12/13/15 I had a heart attack (thus I missed one class as I was in ICU at the hospital). I had 100% blockage in my “widow maker” artery and 99% blockage in another artery. I now have two stents in my heart. My symptoms were more like “whispers” versus screams. A heart attack often is not how it’s portrayed on TV and in movies. Mine was unnoticeable from a chest pain perspective, yet major blockage was occurring in my heart. There is no history of heart disease in my family. I had some slight tightness in my chest and 
shortness of breath while walking the track at UNC-Asheville the week leading up to the heart attack, but chalked it up as being out of shape.
Having the heart attack has put all of this into glaring perspective. Keep up the good work, Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less, and keep motivating and encouraging everyone to eat healthy and move more! It may save their life like it did mine.” Please click here to read more about Rick’s story.
Jason Horay, NCMS Plan Health Promotion Coordinator states, “The NCMS Plan offers services designed to drive wellness, support behavior change, and ultimately allow members to lead healthier lives. Our partnership with Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less has proven to be an extraordinary benefit that engages our population and furthers our goal of promoting well-being to our members.