WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic is offering complimentary A1c blood glucose tests on a walk-in basis at select locations inside CVS/pharmacy stores.

The CVS Caremark Corp. retail health clinic subsidiary said Monday that the tests, sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care, are available through June 12, or while supplies last.

As part of the 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.

MinuteClinic noted that besides performing daily self-testing of glucose levels, diabetics should receive regular A1c tests that measure their average blood glucose levels over a two- to three- month period. The American Diabetes Association advises that patients keep their A1c level below 7%.

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

The A1c tests are not being offered at MinuteClinic locations in Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

In other news, health benefits provider Humana Inc. has opened a health and wellness center in Louisville, Ky., for which MinuteClinic will provide health care services. The companies announced their health services collaboration last December.

Through the new Humana Center for Health and Well-Being, a MinuteClinic nurse practitioner will offer preventive health screenings plus walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries to Humana associates, while personal health coaching will be provided by LifeSynch, a Humana subsidiary. A host of wellness-related resources will also be offered at the center.

"By offering treatment in a convenient setting, we can work with Humana to help reduce health care expenses for its associates, improve well-being and health outcomes, and reduce time spent away from Humana associates’ families and the workplace," Sussman said in a statement.