Walmart tries to deliver deals on everything from video games to groceries, and now it hopes to add primo medical care to the list. The retail chain has partnered with UnitedHealth Group in a 10-year deal that will bring health-care services to 15 Walmart Health locations in Florida and Georgia next year with more planned.
The goal is to deliver preventative care to seniors and Medicare patients for less with the help of Optum, UnitedHealth Group's health-services business. Optum will support Walmart Health clinicians with analytics and tools to help improve patient care.
“We’re on a journey to transform health care, connecting more people to the right care at the right time — at a cost that makes sense,” said Doug McMillon, chief executive officer, Walmart in a statement. “This collaboration puts the patient at the center of health care by leveraging the strength and complementary skill sets of our two companies to accelerate access to quality care.”
Beginning in January, a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan will be offered in Georgia, called UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Walmart Flex. That same month, Walmart Health Virtual Care will be an in-network choice for members of UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus PPO plan.
The collaboration between Walmart and UnitedHealth isn't stopping there. It hopes to provide access to fresh food and tackle over-the-counter and prescription medications, dental services, and vision services for a larger base, not just seniors and Medicare patients.
Walmart isn't the only chain hoping to up its health-care game. CVS is buying Signify Health, which offers home health-care visits, for $8 billion. For that sum, CVS gains access to Signify's network of 10,000 doctors and clinicians and about 2.5 million patients who use it.
