Keystone Mercy Health Plan Hosts Lose to Win Program Kick-Off Event

September 24, 2009
Philadelphia, PA – Keystone Mercy Health Plan, the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Southeastern Pennsylvania, will be hosting the kick-off event for the Lose to Win program on Sunday, September 27 at the Carousel House in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia at 9am.  The Lose to Win program, also hosted by the YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity, is a 12-week program that helps type-2 diabetic members of Keystone Mercy Health Plan understand the importance of exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and living a healthy lifestyle.

Each participant of this exciting program will receive:

• 3 days per week of fitness programs
• Personalized wellness coaching once a week
• Screenings and general health assessments

Members will also participate in one-hour evening nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations taught by experts in nutrition; participate in one-hour evening support group experiences to help with losing weight, healthy eating and physical activity; and participate in fun activities and interesting programs about how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Glenn Hamilton, MD, Medical Director, Keystone Mercy Health Plan, explains that,“Keystone Mercy Health Plan is excited to be sponsoring the kick-off event for the Lose to Win program because it will be a fun way to teach our diabetic members how to better manage their diabetes. Our goal is to help them lose weight and take control of their health.”

The Lose to Win program was started because over the past few years the Philadelphia area has seen a rapid increase in the number of obese patients, thus resulting in an increase of diabetic patients.Keystone Mercy Health Plan wanted to teach their diabetic members how to better deal with this illness.

“The YMCA understands that adapting to life with diabetes is a difficult process that requires a major adjustment of someone's diet and exercise habits. We are extremely pleased to partner with Keystone Mercy for the Lose to Win program with the goal of helping people with diabetes learn to control their disease through their lifestyle. The 12-week Lose to Win program will teach participants about how to make smart and lasting nutrition and fitness choices that will improve their overall well-being and help them to grow in spirit, mind, and body,” explained John F. Flynn, President & CEO, YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity.

This is the first year that Keystone Mercy Health Plan has hosted this program. At the end of the 12-week program an awards ceremony will occur celebrating each participant’s success. A prize will be given to the participant who loses the most weight. Also, members who complete this program will receive a free year-long membership to the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity.

About Keystone Mercy Health Plan