This is a benefit that is available only to members with major medical coverage through the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund (including New York and Rochester plans) and unreduced early retiree coverage; the 1199SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund (including New York and New Jersey plans); or the 1199SEIU Home Care Benefit Fund plan. The Funds will subsidize all or a portion of the membership costs for certain eligible members and eligible diabetic dependents, and all eligible dependents may take advantage of the Funds’ discounted rate for WeightWatchers membership. Medicare-eligible retirees are not eligible. If you are unsure about your eligibility for this benefit, please contact Member Services at (646) 473-9200 for assistance.

Your health plan is committed to supporting you in achieving healthy outcomes and is subsidizing a premium package, valued at $45 per month, for eligible 1199SEIU members.

Members, spouses and dependents who are 18 and older with primary health coverage through the Benefit Funds and who are living with pre-diabetes or diabetes are eligible for a full subsidy when enrolled and active in the program. All other working 1199SEIU members who receive medical and hospital coverage through the Benefit Funds are eligible for special pricing at only $8 per month. All other spouses and dependents who are 18 and older are eligible for a discounted rate of $29 per month and may stop and start at any time.

We know living with diabetes is challenging. WeightWatchers’ diabetes-tailored plan for weight loss helps you lower blood sugar^^, lose weight and stress less**. Plus, it’s added a new in-app blood sugar tracker.

^^Based on a 6-month multicenter trial. Apolzan JW, et al. A Scalable, Virtual Weight Management Program Tailored for Adults (n=136) with Type 2 Diabetes: Effects on Glycemic Control. Presented at American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Sessions. 2022.

**Based on a 6-month multicenter study demonstrating significant reductions in diabetes-related distress. Apolzan JW, et al. A Scalable, Virtual Weight Management Program Tailored for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Effects on Glycemic Control. Presented at American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Sessions. 2022.

For 1199SEIU members, your WeightWatchers Unique ID is your ten-digit Benefit Funds’ Member ID number. For eligible dependents, use the guidance below to determine your WeightWatchers Unique IDs:

• For Spouse:  1199SEIU member’s ID number + first nine characters of spouse’s first name + S 
• For Child (18 or older):  1199SEIU member’s ID number + first nine characters of dependent’s first name + D

For example:  
Member:  1234567890 
Spouse:  1234567890johnathonS
Child:  1234567890mariaD 

Your information will always be securely used and protected consistent with HIPAA regulations and the Benefit Funds’ privacy practices. As part of the partnership with WeightWatchers, and in contribution to your fellow members and the public good, the Benefit Funds will be evaluating the connection between healthy eating and good health outcomes for all 1199SEIU participants in the aggregate. To conduct that evaluation, the Benefit Funds may use health data, including data regarding your participation in this program. The Funds may approach you later, offering the opportunity to share additional information about your experience.

If you are already a WeightWatchers member, please call (866) 204-2885 so they can help you transition your account.

WeightWatchers is the  #1 doctor-recommended weight-loss program†. Additionally, its diabetes-tailored plan  is based on guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation.

† Based on a 2020 IQVIA survey of 14,000 doctors who recommend weight-loss programs to patients.

WeightWatchers helps you lose weight and build healthy habits one small step at a time. Fad weight-loss diets can be restrictive, and they rarely work long term. WeightWatchers has more than 140 publications that show its efficacy to help members lose weight and keep it off, and it’s been ranked the  #1 Best Diet for Weight Loss   by U.S. News & World Report for 12 years in a row.††

†† U.S. News & World Report ranked WeightWatchers the #1 Best Diet for Weight Loss for 12 years in a row (2011–2022).

What you eat is up to you—and WeightWatchers will show you how to enjoy your favorite foods in a way that gets you to your goals. With WeightWatchers, there are no “good” or “bad” foods—just nutritious and less-nutritious ones.

WeightWatchers makes it as easy as possible. You’ll get Points® Budget to “spend” however you want. You’ll track your meals, drinks and snacks in the WeightWatchers app and enjoy as ZeroPoint™ foods as you’d like. Activity can also boost your weight loss (vs. only focusing on food),ᶿᶿ and every member has access to free, fun, all-level workouts.

ᶿᶿ Johns DJ, Hartmann-Boyce J, Jebb SA, Aveyard P; Behavioural Weight Management Review Group. Diet or exercise interventions vs combined behavioral weight management programs: a systematic review and meta-analysis of direct comparisons. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114(10):1557–1568. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.07.005

Workshops (or Meetings, back in the day) are coach-led group sessions held in a Studio location or online. You don’t need to go, but the extra support can ramp up your results: Workshop members lose two times more weight than those who DIY.ᶿ Workshops offer unlimited accountability and give you a sense of belonging alongside coaches and members who really get it.

ᶿTate DF, Lutes LD, Bryant M et al. Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program: A Randomized Multi-Country Controlled Trial. JAMA Network Open. Accepted. June 2022.

WeightWatchers’ current weight-loss program uses advanced nutrition and behavioral science for its most personalized plans yet, and it factors in more nutritional data, like added sugars, fiber and unsaturated fats, to guide you toward the healthiest foods. It also gets to know who you really are, building a nutrition plan that makes weight loss livable and easier. Plus, it has added hundreds of ZeroPoint foods you never have to measure or track.

Lifetime membership is a way for WeightWatchers to recognize and honor members who have reached—and maintained—their personal weight-loss goal. When you achieve Lifetime status, you’ll receive a free subscription to WeightWatchers’ digital tools and unlimited Workshops!

How to qualify for Lifetime membership: 

• Be 18 or older. 
• Join as a Premium (previously Workshop + Digital) member for access to Studio Workshops.
• When you join, you must have at least five pounds to lose and a BMI over 20. 
• Reach your goal weight within a healthy BMI. If you need a weight goal that’s over a healthy BMI, you can be eligible for Lifetime membership if you submit a healthcare provider’s note detailing an appropriate weight goal for you.
• Complete the six-week maintenance program. That means at least six weeks of maintaining your weight goal.
• Weigh in at least twice at your Studio Workshop during the program.
• Be no more than two pounds over your goal weight at the final maintenance weigh-in.

To keep your Lifetime membership: 

• You must weigh in at your first Studio Workshop in each calendar month.
• You must be no more than two pounds above your goal weight.

How billing works:

Free digital access will automatically extend to the last day of the next month.* If you exceed your goal weight by more than two pounds, that’s okay—once a Lifetime member, always a Lifetime member! You will be charged monthly until you’re back within range. 
Want more? Here’s everything you need to know about Lifetime membership. 

*In participating areas only.