TETERBORO, N.J. and QUINCY, Mass., Jun 5, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) and the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company
today launched QuesTest(TM) consumer health testing services in more than 60
Stop & Shop Pharmacies throughout Connecticut. QuesTest(TM) health testing is
a revolutionary concept in consumer-driven health care that now offers Stop &
Shop customers an important new way to take charge of their health through
commonly ordered screening tests that they choose for themselves. QuesTest(TM)
lab services help answer a broad need for consumers to obtain baseline
personal health information about themselves. QuesTest(TM) lab services are a
service of Quest Diagnostics, the nation's leading provider of diagnostic
testing, information and services.
Stop & Shop customers can walk into any Stop & Shop Pharmacy in
Connecticut and select QuesTest(TM) lab service cards from a menu of 12
popular health-screening tests. Once purchased, the service cards must be
registered by phone or through a secure website, enabling customers to visit
any of Quest Diagnostics' 71 Patient Service Centers that are conveniently
located throughout Connecticut to have their specimens collected. No
appointment is necessary. Testing is performed at Quest Diagnostics'
full-service regional laboratory in Wallingford, which physicians and medical
centers throughout the state rely on for quality laboratory testing.
QuesTest(TM) customers can choose from either of two ways to obtain their
own test results -- both of which are private and confidential. QuesTest
results are provided directly to customers in as little as 48 hours on-line or
approximately five days by mail.
Test reports provide explanations that are easy for consumers to
understand, and all materials emphasize that testing information is best
understood in the context of a doctor-patient relationship. If test results
indicate a serious or life threatening condition, an independent physician
licensed in Connecticut will notify the customer immediately and recommend
seeking medical treatment.
Prices for QuesTest(TM) lab services vary by test. In general,
QuesTest(TM) services range in price from as low as $40 for some single tests,
such as the Heart Risk Panel, the Thyroid Health Screen and the Liver Health
Screen up to $115 for the most comprehensive health profiles, which include
the Women's Health Profile and the Men's Health Profile.
"Stop & Shop is committed to helping our customers find better ways to
improve and maintain their health," commented John Fegan, Vice President of
pharmacy for Stop & Shop. "By providing access to QuesTest(TM) consumer health
testing services in our Connecticut pharmacies, we are providing a convenient
way to help our customers obtain important information about their health."
"QuesTest(TM) consumer lab testing services tap directly into the
megatrend that's hitting the health care world -- more empowered consumers
choosing to take control over their own health, just like they've taken charge
of their own personal finances," said Kate Langevin, Director of Consumer
Health for Quest Diagnostics. "We are excited to offer this service to Stop &
Shop customers in Connecticut."
Ms. Langevin added: "Our research indicates that there are a whole variety
of reasons that people will purchase QuesTest(TM) services. Some will be
attracted to how conveniently and quickly they can get their results. Many
individuals will want testing done more frequently than their insurance
company will cover. Others want to prepare for their annual visit to the
doctor's office."
Customers may purchase QuesTest(TM) lab services at any of the following
Stop & Shop pharmacies conveniently located at the following addresses:
100 Division Street, Ansonia, CT 06401
22 Leetes Island Road, Branford, CT 06405
2600 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606
4531 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06602
781 Pine Street, Bristol, CT 06010
657 Farmington Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010
215 E. Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413
99 Linwood Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415
35 Shunpike Road, Cromwell, CT 06416
72 New Town Road, Danbury, CT 06810
940 Silver Lane, East, Hartford, CT 06108
370 Hemingway Ave., E. Haven, CT 06512
54 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT 06082
1160 King's Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield, CT 06430
55 Oak Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033
215 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury, CT 06033
120 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035
220 Route 12, Groton, CT 06340
2335 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514
1245 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514
150 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
136 Samson Rock Drive, Madison, CT 06443
286 Broad Street, Manchester, CT 06040
485 Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450
416 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
855 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT 06443
42 East Town Road, Milford, CT 06460
727 Rubber Av., Mt. View Plaza, Naugatuck, CT 06770
1309 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053
112 Amity Rd, Amity Plaza, New Haven CT 06525
180 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
44 Fenn Road, Newington, CT 06111
228 S. Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
79 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473
385 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06856
380 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06850
42 Town Street, Norwich, CT 06360
Rte 1 & Elm St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475
259 Bull Hill Lane, Orange, CT 06477
15 Franklin Street, Seymour, CT 06762
Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484
498 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070
505 N. Main Street, Southington, CT 06489
2200 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905
200 E. Main Street, Stratford, CT 06497
211 High Street, Torrington, CT 06790
100 Quality Street, Trumbull, CT 06611
10 Pitkin Road, Vernon, CT 06066
Rte 5 & N. Colony Road, Wallingford, CT 06492
410 Readville Drive, Waterbury, CT 06705
920 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705
240 Chase Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06704
117 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385
763 Straits Turnpike, Watertown, CT 06795
44 Lake Ave. Extension, West Danbury, CT 06810
1790 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
1380 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT 06109
680 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109
1391 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
1095 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT 06095
200 New Hartford Road, Winsted, CT 06098
In addition, consumers are encouraged to visit the QuesTest(TM) web site
at www.questest.com to access in-depth information on all aspects of health
testing; register for QuesTest(TM) services purchased; securely obtain their
confidential test results online; and find the full list of Quest Diagnostics
Patient Service Center locations in Connecticut, as well as the complete test
menu. For more information about QuesTest(TM) lab services, consumers also are
invited to visit the Stop & Shop Pharmacist or to call QuesTest(TM) toll-free
at 1-877-QUESTEST (783-7837).
About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, based in Quincy, Massachusetts,
employs more than 57,000 associates and operates 335 stores with 244
pharmacies throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and
Rhode Island. Additional company information is located at
www.stopandshop.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the provider of QuesTest(TM) consumer
health testing services, is the nation's leading provider of diagnostic
testing, information and services, providing insights that enable physicians,
hospitals, managed care organizations and other healthcare professionals to
make decisions to improve health. The company offers patients and physicians
the broadest access to diagnostic laboratory services through its national
network of laboratories and patient service centers. Quest Diagnostics is the
leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based medical testing,
and empowers healthcare organizations and clinicians with state-of-the-art
connectivity solutions that improve practice management. Additional company
information can be found on the Internet at: www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing
relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, conditions of
the economy and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
2002 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; Stop & Shop Supermarket Company
Laure Park (Investors), +1-201-393-5030, Jennifer Somers
(Media), +1-201-393-5700, both of Quest Diagnostics; Kelly O'Connor (Media) of
Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, +1-617-770-6037
http://www.questest.com