In a recent announcement, Walmart has decided to close its health clinics at 51 retail stores in five states due to the challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs. This decision marks a shift in strategy for the retailer, as they had previously planned to double the number of clinics at its retail stores. Although the exact timeline for the closures has not been provided, sources suggest that they will occur within the next 45 to 90 days.
The clinics, which first opened in Georgia in 2019 and later expanded to Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, and Texas, offered a range of health services from primary care to behavioral health, labs, and X-rays. In addition to physical locations, Walmart also provided virtual care through its website. However, changes in reimbursement information have led to the decision to shut them down.
On the other hand, Amazon has recently expanded benefits for Prime members by providing access to online services and visits at hundreds of One Medical clinics nationwide. Similarly, Walgreens has announced the closure of 160 Village MD clinics due to financial losses. Despite closing its health clinics, Walmart will continue to operate pharmacies in approximately 4,600 stores across the country. The company views its pharmacies as a crucial entry point to healthcare services.