Walmart Closes Health and Virtual Care Centers
Company officials said a challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs created a lack of profitability for the business.
Walmart has made the decision to close all of its 51 health centers and virtual care programs across five states, the company announced this morning. Walmart officials said a challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability.
“Through our experience managing Walmart Health centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, we determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue,” officials said in a statement.
The statement indicated that Walmart will continue to offer immunizations and provide Testing and Treatment services through its pharmacies, access to specialty pharmacy medication and care, as well as other essential services such as medication therapy management and a variety of health screenings.
No date has been announced for the closing of the centers. Provider partners will continue to see patients while clinics are open. Through their respective employers, these providers will be paid for 90 days.
Walmart Health launched in 2019. As of November 2023, Walmart was still expanding the health centers, when it announced relationships in Florida with Ambetter from Sunshine Health and with Orlando Health. Ambetter Sunshine Health provides insurance to individuals through the Florida health insurance marketplace. Orlando Health is private, not-for-profit network of community and specialty hospitals across Florida.
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