Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) are teaming up to launch a value-based care model at 15 Walmart Health locations in January 2023. This 10-year partnership aims to serve “hundreds of thousands” of seniors enrolled in Walmart Health Medicare Advantage plans, emphasizing behavioral health as a key component of the initiative. By combining the strengths of both companies, the collaboration seeks to deliver high-quality, convenient, and cost-effective care to Medicare Advantage members.
Walmart Health clinics provide comprehensive services, including primary care, labs, X-rays, EKG, dental, optical, hearing, and behavioral health counseling. UnitedHealth Group contributes through its subsidiaries, including Optum, offering analytics, technology tools, and decision support to enhance clinical outcomes. This integration allows providers to focus on patient care while improving efficiency, creating a model centered around whole-person care. Seniors enrolled in Walmart Health Medicare Advantage can benefit from this coordinated approach, which aligns clinical and behavioral health services in a single, convenient setting.
Behavioral Health as a Core Priority
Behavioral health is a cornerstone of the Walmart-UnitedHealth partnership. Walmart Health provides counseling for depression, anxiety, stress, grief, relationship issues, ADHD, and alcohol use. Select locations offer psychiatric services, expanding access to essential mental health care. In April 2022, Walmart Health announced plans to integrate behavioral health into its diabetes management program, addressing co-morbid conditions and highlighting the focus on whole-person care.
UnitedHealth Group has strengthened its behavioral health offerings through acquisitions such as Refresh Mental Health, AbleTo, and investments in Mindstrong. According to CEO Andrew Witty, these moves align with their value-based care philosophy by integrating behavioral health alongside medical management. This ensures that Walmart Health Medicare Advantage patients receive comprehensive support for both physical and mental health conditions, improving overall outcomes.
Expanding Access Through Physical and Virtual Care
The initiative will initially roll out in Florida and Georgia, while Walmart Health already operates clinics in Arkansas and Illinois. Patients will also benefit from Walmart Health Virtual Care, a telehealth platform created after the acquisition of MeMD. This service complements in-person care and ensures convenient access for seniors enrolled in Walmart Health Medicare Advantage, particularly those with mobility or transportation challenges.
Additionally, a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan in Georgia, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Walmart Flex (HMO-POS), will launch alongside the initiative. UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus PPO plan will also gain access to Walmart Health Virtual Care, giving patients multiple options for accessing care. By combining physical clinics with telehealth, the partnership enhances both accessibility and continuity of care for Walmart Health Medicare Advantage members.
Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes
Optum provides Walmart Health providers with analytics, population health management tools, and decision support technology. These tools allow clinicians to focus on delivering outcomes-driven care while monitoring patient progress. As Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated, this collaboration “puts the patient at the center of health care by leveraging the strength and complementary skill sets of our two companies to accelerate access to quality care.” Seniors enrolled in Walmart Health Medicare Advantage plans can expect coordinated, data-informed care designed to improve both efficiency and health results.
A Scalable Model for Whole-Person Care
Analysts note that Walmart and UnitedHealth Group are uniquely positioned to scale successful programs quickly. By piloting the value-based care model at 15 clinics, they can identify best practices for improving patient outcomes and cost efficiency. Once proven effective, these programs can be expanded to additional Walmart Health locations nationwide, offering more seniors access to high-quality care.
Behavioral health integration is expected to be a differentiator in the model. By addressing mental health alongside physical health, the partnership demonstrates the value of whole-person care. With Optum’s continued acquisitions and investments in behavioral health, Walmart Health Medicare Advantage patients will benefit from a network that provides both medical and mental health services in a coordinated, convenient manner.
Conclusion
The Walmart-UnitedHealth Group partnership represents a significant evolution in healthcare delivery, particularly for seniors on Medicare Advantage plans. By combining Walmart Health’s one-stop clinics, telehealth offerings, and community health programs with UnitedHealth Group’s technology and behavioral health network, the initiative delivers patient-centered, value-based care. Walmart Health Medicare Advantage enrollees can expect improved access, convenience, and coordinated care, creating a model that has the potential to be scaled nationwide and redefine healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries.
