Walmart will close all of its health centers across the United States that provided patients with low-cost medical care for five years.
The retailer announced plans on Tuesday to close its network of 51 health clinics in five states, as well as its telemedicine business. The impending closures mean Walmart is abandoning its original plans to expand services due to rising operating costs and a “difficult reimbursement environment,” the company said in a press release.
“We have determined that there is no sustainable business model for us to continue operating with,” the company said in a statement. “We understand that this change impacts the lives of the patients who receive care, the staff and providers who deliver the care, and the communities that have supported us along this journey.”
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Walmart health centers offered a range of services
Walmart first opened its health centers in 2019. The health centers are located adjacent to Walmart Supercenters and offer a range of services, including medical, dental and mental health care.
Walmart has not yet given a date for the closure of each center, but the retailer has indicated it plans to announce details once decisions are made.
The company said it will now focus its healthcare business on its nearly 4,600 pharmacies and more than 3,000 vision care centers across the United States.
Walmart’s pharmacies recently expanded their offerings to include testing and treatment services, access to specialty medications, medication therapy management and various health screenings. The company also introduced new features in its vision centers, including a virtual try-on feature using augmented reality.
Where are Walmart health centers located?
Here are the five states in Walmart’s network of health centers and how many centers there are in each state:
Walmart closes its health centers: View full list of locations
Employees may be entitled to transfer
It is unclear how many jobs will be eliminated as a result of the closures, but Walmart has said it will allow eligible employees to transfer to other business units, including Sam’s Club stores. Employees may also be eligible for severance pay, the company said.
“The employees and providers have made an incredible difference for their patients and communities, and they are a priority,” Walmart said in a statement.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Walmart Health to close all 51 health centers in 5 states
