Walmart And United Healthcare Form Joint Venture For Medicare Advantage Enrolles

A blue wal mart store with people walking around.


Walmart announced that it is rolling out a major partnership with UnitedHealth Group to provide healthcare services and improve the patient experience for Medicare Advantage enrollees in certain markets.  The 10-year partnership was announced Wednesday.  The duo will begin the rollout in Florida and Georgia in 2023, where Walmart Health has a combined 15 locations.  Eventually, they plan to roll out the service across the country.  “No matter who your insurer is, this 10-year collaboration is going to enable us to deliver the care needed, first in Georgia and Florida,†Dr. Cheryl Pegus, EVP of Walmart Health & Wellness, said in an interview.  Medicare Advantage plans have increased in popularity in recent years, with the program adding more than 2 million beneficiaries in 2022, boosting the program to 45% of Medicare enrollees, according to a study by The Chartis Group.

Tech Giants Jump Into Rapidly Growing Healthcare Business : By Derek Baine

A person holding a stethoscope in front of a laptop.


Google parent Alphabet Inc. and hospital chain HCA Healthcare struck a deal this week to develop algorithms using patient records which could help physicians make more informed decisions about patient care.  They aren’t the only ones to jump into the rapidly growing healthcare space.  JPMorgan Chase is investing $250 million in startups and technologies which are meant to make healthcare more efficient and effective.  Amazon.com and Walmart have also partnered on primary care which will enable them to push their prescription pharmaceuticals business.  The U.S. is projected to spend about $4 trillion on healthcare this year (according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). That’s roughly 20% of GDP so it’s no big surprise that these big companies are jumping into this fast growing sector.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-and-walmart-have-an-rx-for-healthcare-the-cure-wont-be-easy-11622194240

Costco Diving Deeper Into The Prescription Drug Market

A table with many different types of pills on it.


Amazon.com and Walmart Inc. have both jumped into the online pharmacy market and now Costco Wholesale Corp. is taking a different approach, with a focus on helping make prescription drug prices transparent for employers.  It has partnered with Navitus Health Solutions LLC, a small pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) which has a different business model than most PBMs.  Rather than taking a cut of rebates and discounts, they charge a flat free.  Costo recently purchased a minority stake in Navitus in a partnership which should benefit both employers and consumers.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-22/costco-cost-health-care-approach-differs-from-amazon-amzn-walmart-wmt