Press Release 10/25/2007

beBetter Tackles Tobacco Use with New Thrive Gum

Offers Best Price for Great American Smokeout

CHARLESTON, W.V. — As part of its tobacco cessation services, beBetter Networks, Inc., is now offering Thrive nicotine gum. This mint-coated, premium nicotine gum gives companies the opportunity to help employees quit tobacco without paying a high price.

“We are thrilled to include Thrive gum as part of our product offerings,” said Ralph Gaines, president and CEO. “Thrive not only tastes great but it is also inexpensive.“

For a limited time only, beBetter is offering Thrive at deeply discounted prices. This pricing saves customers more than the competing brands and generic forms. The cost for individual orders, plus $6.50 for shipping and handling, is as follows: 

2mg 100 count $20.89 + 6.50 = $27.39
2mg 40 count $11.54 + 6.50 = $18.04
4mg 100 count $26.36 + 6.50 = $32.86
4mg 40 count $12.40 + 6.50 = $18.90
2mg 40 count buy 2 get 1 free $23.09 + 6.50 = $29.59
4mg 40 count buy 2 get 1 free $24.80 + 6.50 = $31.30

“With the approach of the Great American Smokeout on November 15th, we are pleased to offer Thrive as a cost-effective means for companies to help their employees quit using tobacco and create a tobacco-free work environment.

Thrive gum can be purchased online at www.tobaccosolutionsonline.com

For bulk orders and more information, call NRT Distribution Services toll free at 1-866-427-8654.

Press Release 10/04/2007

beBetter Awarded WV Quitline Contract

Will provide tobacco cessation services for three more years

CHARLESTON, W.V. — West Virginia-based beBetter Networks, Inc. (beBetter) has been awarded the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline contract issued by the Department of Health and Human Resources for the Bureau for Public Health and the Bureau for Medical Services Medicaid Program. As the original vendor for the Quitline, beBetter will provide cessation services to West Virginia residents and West Virginia Medicaid members.

“We are fortunate to be a part of an industry and a movement that focuses on helping people lead longer, healthier lives by being tobacco free,” said Ralph Gaines, president and CEO of beBetter. “We believe our unique value to the state and our key differentiator comes from our focus on West Virginia and the unparalleled experience we have with every aspect of the cessation efforts taking place in the state.”

Research shows that tobacco users are most successful with quitting when they have support. beBetter provides comprehensive cessation services including direct home delivery of nicotine replacement therapy, one-on-one telephone counseling, Web support, and educational literature. Services are customized to address each tobacco user’s habit and lifestyle.

beBetter’s full-scale distribution center allows for the procurement of nicotine replacement therapy including nicotine patches, gum and lozenges. In addition, beBetter will work with Rational Drug Therapy Program to provide West Virginia Medicaid members with prescription authorization on nicotine replacement therapies.

According to the 2005 Annual Report developed by beBetter, the total investment in the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline was $1.81 million and the one year average cost savings, including both direct health care and productivity costs was $8.8 million yielding an average return on investment of 744%. Thus for every $1 invested in the program, there was an average cost savings of $7.44.

beBetter, formerly known as Partners in Corporate Health, Inc., was the original developer of the YNOTQUIT Line which launched in July of 2000. Today the Quitline, known as the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline, is considered one of the most successful quitlines in the country having enrolled over 50,000 participants, obtaining quit rates of approximately 27 percent (higher than the average quitline quit rate) and satisfaction rates of 98 percent.

“As the original developer and deliverer of these services for the State of West Virginia and as a West Virginia-based business, we are honored to have the opportunity to continue the outstanding efforts which we have provided to the state over the past seven years,” said Gaines.

West Virginia residents and West Virginia Medicaid members can access the Quitline by calling toll-free 1-877-966-8784.

Press Release 03/08/2007

Portion Plate™ Tackles Obesity Epidemic

CHARLESTON, W.V. — In an effort to combat the nationwide obesity epidemic, beBetter Networks Inc. (beBetter) offers the Portion Plate™, a weight management tool that helps adults and children learn how to eat correctly by focusing on portion size. 

This easy-to-use tool helps adults and children to better judge appropriate food intake through the use of recognizable visual cues, colorful design and meaningful messages. 

“The Portion Plate™ sends the message that individuals need to learn to self-regulate in order to control their weight,” said Ralph Gaines, president and CEO of beBetter. “This simple tool teaches the components of a healthy diet and the importance of portion control that can easily be used within our daily lives.” 

beBetter offers both adult and children (ages 6-11) Portion Plates™ which show a relationship to the recommended portions for the meats and beans, whole grains, and fruit and vegetable food groups listed on the new food guide pyramid. Colorful images, such as a deck of cards or a package of crayons (for children) symbolize a serving of meat, which helps individuals visualize their needed portions.

A study conducted by Barbara Rolls, PhD, a professor in nutritional sciences at Penn State University, confirmed that individuals always consumed more food with larger portions and consumed more than 15% more calories per day than the recommended amounts. This study also confirmed that 25% of participants didn’t notice they were eating larger portions, and when they did, they still consumed more food.   

“Portion size has increased since the 1970s; however, many people are unaware of this change,” said Gaines. “Our society has learned to eat what is served without recognizing the difference between recommended portions and actual portions. The Portion Plate™ makes this distinction.” 

Most Americans consider lack of exercise as the biggest reason people are overweight. But, the research suggests that if people continue to overeat with larger portions, they will gain weight or at best, not lose weight if they do exercise. 

“Research also suggests that portion control can be one of the most effective and easiest ways to manage weight,” said Gaines. “It’s just a matter of being aware of this and then knowing to put this strategy into action.” 

The Portion Plate™ is designed to reach people across many settings including community, schools and workplace health and wellness initiatives. It is accompanied with an informative placemat and educational brochure. 

To order or learn more about the Portion Plate™, visit www.theportionplate.com or call 1.800.348.5307, ext. 3365. 

Press Release 01/10/2007

beBetter Networks, Inc. Receives Gold Well Workplace Award

CHARLESTON, W.V. — beBetter Networks, Inc. has received the Gold Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA) in recognition of their achievements in worksite health promotion.

beBetter Networks, Inc., which has offices in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, was one of 600 national companies who passed the rigorous award criteria that define America’s Healthiest Companies.

“We are honored that WELCOA has recognized our accomplishments in fostering a healthier workplace,” said Ralph Gaines, President and CEO of beBetter Networks, Inc. “This award symbolizes the model of healthcare excellence that we strive to provide for our clients and customers.”

WELCOA grants Gold Well Workplace awards to companies that have successfully built comprehensive worksite wellness programs which result in concrete outcomes related to behavior change, cost effectiveness and return on investment.

“As a company whose mission it is to help organizations develop healthy work forces, we feel it is critical to set a good example in that effort,” said Gaines. 

Well Workplace Awards are granted on four levels including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum honors. In addition to receiving national recognition, Well Workplace Awards validate an organization’s health promotion efforts, communicates their future vision and demonstrates their commitment to employee health.

To receive a Well Workplace Award, organizations must complete a seven step process which includes such steps as becoming a WELCOA member, implementing a Well Workplace model, completing a formal Well Workplace application and completing an application review by WELCOA.

beBetter Networks, Inc. delivers a 20-year history of proven success in worksite health-risk management programs, which are based on the principle “What can be measured can also be managed.” The company's practical healthy living programs help individuals take action toward protecting and improving their health, and build upon employer strategies aimed at reducing health care costs and maximizing productivity. The union of beBetter’s experience and the customer’s voice are essential in satisfying client goals and expectations.

Press Release 07/06/2005

Partners in Corporate Health, Inc. Merges With beBetter Networks, Inc.

CHARLESTON, W.V. — Partners in Corporate Health, Inc. has merged with beBetter Networks, Inc. Partners in Corporate Health is a leader in work site health promotion, providing products and services both regionally and nationally to organizations over the past 19 years. PCH has offices in Morgantown and Charleston, West Virginia and Washington, Pennsylvania. beBetter Networks is a leader in solution focused products and services aimed at supporting individual and organizational well-being through a behaviorally-based approach. beBetter has offices located in Atlanta, Georgia and Charleston, West Virginia.

Together, PCH and beBetter will be able to offer a more comprehensive selection of products and services going far beyond the traditional work site wellness offerings. In addition, this merger will greatly enhance the web-enabled technology for both PCH and beBetter; expanding both the scope and depth of products and services in the areas of marketing, communications, web-based interventions, reporting, and evaluation. PCH will continue to operate with the existing management team under the name Partners in Corporate Health, LLC. “A beBetter Company.”