MinuteClinic offers free diabetes monitoring package

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic locations are offering a free diabetes monitoring package this summer, the company announced on Friday.

The monitoring package administered by a MinuteClinic practitioner includes hemoglobin A1C and blood glucose tests, a blood pressure check, body mass index, cholesterol test, comprehensive foot exam and microalbumin test (kidney function check). The practitioner also will conduct a review of lifestyle factors and give immediate results and recommendations.

"MinuteClinic's diabetes monitoring services provide the care diabetics need in between visits to a primary care provider," MinuteClinic chief medical officer Nancy Gagliano said. "For the more than 25.8 million Americans with diabetes, we believe MinuteClinic can be a valuable, long-term member of the patient care team, working in tandem with physicians and other medical professionals to ensure that diabetics can access the care they need to stay on top of their condition."

Diabetes patients who take advantage of the diabetes monitoring package each will receive an Accu-Chek 360-degree View tool to take with them. The tracking tool provides a quick snapshot of a patient's blood sugar patterns, and also helps with monitoring meal sizes and energy and activity levels at specific times. Roche, the maker of Accu-Chek products, is sponsoring the diabetes monitoring package program.

The monitoring package is available through Aug. 31 or while supplies last and is not offered in Maryland or Massachusetts. Patients must be 18 years of age or older and there is a limit of one monitoring package per customer.

MinuteClinic also offers comprehensive health condition-monitoring services for individuals diagnosed with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and asthma.