After five years of providing primary care services, Walmart Health is shutting down its operations. The decision to close the health division was made after Walmart determined that there was no sustainable business model to support its operations. This closure will affect all 51 of Walmart’s doctor-staffed care centers, though a specific date for the closure has not been set yet.
Initially, Walmart Health was established to provide primary care services to underserved communities with limited access to affordable care. However, despite their efforts to bring affordable care to these areas, the challenges were too great to overcome. A challenging reimbursement environment and rising operating costs ultimately made the division unprofitable and unsustainable.
Walmart’s decision to close its health division reflects the difficulties that companies face while trying to provide healthcare in the current landscape. Despite their efforts to bring affordable care to underserved communities, the challenges were too great to overcome. With the closure of Walmart Health, patients will need to find alternative providers for their primary care needs.