Walmart Shuts Down Health Centers and Virtual Care Service Due to Financial Struggles

Walmart has made the difficult decision to close its health centers and virtual care service due to challenges in finding success with these offerings. Despite plans announced in March 2023 to expand its health centers, the retail giant has now decided to shut down its 51 health centers in five states.

The company, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, had opened its first health center in 2019 with the aim of helping people save money on their healthcare needs. However, after managing the health centers and virtual service for some time, Walmart has determined that there is not a sustainable business model for them to continue operating.

Walmart cited challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs as contributing factors to the lack of profitability, making the care business unsustainable for them at this time. Specific closure dates have not yet been provided, but Walmart has stated that employees at these health centers will have the option to transfer to other Walmart or Sam’s Club locations.

Although Walmart is closing its health centers and virtual care service, it still operates almost 4,600 pharmacies and more than 3,000 vision centers in the U.S., which will continue to provide customers with affordable healthcare options.