Walmart shuts down telehealth service

Walmart Health
(Image credit: Walmart)

Walmart Health Centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, which launched as Covid-19 was emerging, are now facing closure after a short five-year stint.

In a press release, the retail giant announced the termination of these services citing the unsustainability of the Walmart Health buisness model.

Despite the company’s efforts to make “meaningful impacts with patients” over the past five years, all 51 health centers across five states as well as the virtual care offering have now been pulled from the market.

Walmart Health closure

Walmart says pressures from a challenging reimbursement environment and increasing operating costs ultimately led to the demise of its Health business, which was still in its infancy.

Walmart has not committed to closure dates for its 51 health centers, but promises to share more information soon.

Its 4,600 Pharmacies and 3,000 Vision Centers will continue to operate, with Walmart promising that the lessons learned from its short time in broader healthcare will be carried over to those businesses.

The shock news underscores the complexities and costs involved with expanding into the healthcare sector, especially for companies previously operating in other sectors. Competition has also added pressure in recent years, with the likes of Amazon and BestBuy expanding, snapping up smaller ventures, and entering new partnerships.

As part of its commitment to its workers, Walmart has confirmed that affected staff will either transfer to another Walmart or Sam’s Club location, or receive 90 days’ pay and severance benefits.

The company issues the following statement: “We are deeply grateful to these associates and providers for their caring service to patients in our communities and to the patients who trusted us with their care.”

More from TechRadar Pro

Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!

Read more
Walmart PLus
Amazon just overtook Walmart in revenue for the first time
Microsoft Experience Centre London
Microsoft is closing its flagship London retail store
Walmart Presidents' Day sale 2025
Watch out Amazon: Walmart announces a rival spring sale - 55% off TVs, patio furniture, and clothing
Two doctors looking at patient data on digital tablet
The world’s first ‘virtual hospital’ is here, and it could change healthcare for good
Hospital
Major Oracle outage hits US Federal health record systems
Skype video conferencing
Amazon is ending support for its business calls and meetings service
Latest in Pro
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
Why multi-CDNs are going to shake up 2025
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
URL phishing
HaveIBeenPwned owner suffers phishing attack that stole his Mailchimp mailing list
Ransomware
Cl0p resurgence drives ransomware attacks to new highs in 2025
Millwall FC The Den
The UK's first football club mobile network is here - but you probably won't guess which team has launched it
A person using a smartphone with a cybersecurity lock symbol appearing over it.
The growing threat of device code phishing and how to defend against It
Latest in News
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound
Google Maps on a phone being held in someone's hand
Google Maps is getting two key upgrades, for easier route planning and quicker access to Gemini AI