MinuteClinic offers free A1c tests

WOONSOCKET, R.I. MinuteClinic is offering free A1c tests, sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care, through June 12 to help those patients with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels.

As part of the free A1c test, MinuteClinic practitioners will check a patient’s vital signs, review medical history and administer the blood test. Results are available within five minutes and are discussed with the patient. A visit summary that includes the A1c test results is made available to primary care providers with patient permission. Visit summaries are typically sent within 24 hours via electronic medical record, fax or mail.

“The hemoglobin A1c test is the best measure available to help the more than 24 million Americas with diabetes monitor their condition and prevent other health-related issues from arising,” stated Andrew Sussman, M.D., president of MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark. “With hundreds of walk-in medical centers in stores located near where patients live and work, MinuteClinic is a tremendous resource for diabetes to receive lab testing and speak with a nurse practitioner about their health status.”

In addition to daily self-testing of glucose levels, diabetics should receive regular A1c tests that measure their average blood glucose levels over a two- or three-month period. The American Association advises that patients keep their A1c level below 7%. The A1c tests are not offered at MinuteClinic locations in Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada and Pennsylvania.