Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, is working to improve health care access for employees and their families by expanding virtual primary care services. The move is aimed at addressing challenges associated with traditional medical care, such as long wait times for appointments, referrals between doctors, and inconvenience of traveling to see a specialist.
Building on its existing telemedicine services for occasional sick visits, Walmart is now offering employees the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with quality physicians across the country through virtual primary care. Additionally, as part of this expansion, virtual care options for digestive health and physical therapy will be available, including basic home testing services starting early next year. Most of these virtual health care benefits are provided at no cost to employees and their families.
The company said the decision to expand virtual primary care was made in response to growing demand for on-demand access to healthcare providers, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s what it means. This also aligns with Walmart’s efforts to strengthen its mental health benefits, which are available at no cost to employees and their families, regardless of enrollment in a Walmart health plan.
In 2019, Walmart revealed that nearly 50% of its employees and their families lack primary health care, primarily due to limited access. The expansion of virtual primary care aims to fill this gap by providing convenient and accessible medical services when and where you need them.
The virtual primary care pilot initially began in three states in 2020 and was expanded to 16 states after its success. In 2023, coverage will further expand to 21 states, giving Walmart employees and their families greater access to quality health care.
Key findings from the pilot program include:
- Approximately 33% of participants were over 45 years of age.
- Approximately 30% sought chronic disease care or preventive health care.
- Diabetic patients had an average reduction in HbA1c levels of 24%.
- People with high blood pressure had a 14% drop in blood pressure.
- An overall reduction of 11% in total treatment costs was observed.
“Over the past three and a half years, Walmart has gone beyond simple ailment needs,” said Owen Tripp, CEO of Included Health, a healthcare partner for Walmart’s virtual primary care expansion. “We have tested and validated the role of virtual care. We oppose national primary care.” Despite shortages, rural medical deserts, and persistent price increases, Walmart has continued to advance healthcare. ”
The states eligible for expansion are: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming. Virtual primary care services are already available in every other state except Hawaii.