Wegmans Rolls Out Diabetes Solution Centers

SN STAFF

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wegmans Food Markets here said this week it plans to have a Diabetes Solutions Center in all 77 of its stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland by early 2011.

Wegman’s newest Maryland store in Woodmore contains such a center, located in the health and beauty care department. The center merchandises Wegmans' new store-brand blood glucose monitoring systems and other products and supplies geared to the needs of those with diabetes.

Wegmans’ TRUEresult system and TRUE2go — small enough to fit a purse, pocket or gym bag — makes it easy and affordable to track blood glucose levels for those with diabetes, the company said in a press statement.

Manufactured to Wegmans’ specifications by Nipro Diagnostics, a manufacturer of medical devices for diabetics, the TRUEresult meter has a retail price of $19.99 and the TRUE2go meter has a retail price of $8.99.

There are currently, however, several scenarios that may allow for patients to receive a free meter. Test strips are $69.99 for a box of 100 strips. However, many health insurance plans offer patients a co-pay of only $15 for test strips, said Dave Perlman, Wegmans’ pharmacy category manager. Wegmans’ TRUEresult home testing system could save a patient up to $400 over one year’s time.

Wegmans also offers diabetic customers many other tools for staying healthy through good food choices. In the diabetes section at wegmans.com, there’s a guide to better food choices. Sections on meal planning explain exchanges and carbohydrate counting. There are also seasonal diabetes meal ideas, tips on party and celebration foods, and nutritional information, including carbohydrates, in the online product catalog, which means no more guessing about the nutritional values (fats, carbs, sodium, calories) of a favorite fresh, packaged or prepared foods.