Publix Providing Biometric Health Screenings

Publix Pharmacy is offering biometric screenings at the grocer’s 970-plus in-store pharmacies. The screenings, available to people 18 and older, will help them understand their risk of developing such chronic conditions as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The specific screenings and costs are as follows:

• Glucose: $20
• Lipid Panel (Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides): $35
• Lipid Panel + Glucose: $45
• Blood Pressure: Free using Publix's higi station
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Free using Publix's higi station

The results are available within minutes of taking the test(s), and customers can consult a pharmacist. Results from the biometric screenings will be kept on file so that the Publix pharmacist may refer to them to track changes and trends in customers' overall health.

As Publix Pharmacy is unable to bill insurance providers directly, it recommends that customers undergoing the screenings contact their insurance providers directly for plan policies and reimbursement practices if applicable.

"As both a supermarket and pharmacy, we are uniquely positioned to assist our customers in their overall health and wellness goals," noted Maria Brous, media and community relations director at Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix. "Biometric screenings are an additional service we provide to our customers and associates in a convenient location. We respect the time of our customers and continue to build on a strong relationship between patient and pharmacy."

Privately owned and operated by its 177,000 employees, Publix has 1,103 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.