Wal-Mart To Open More In-Store Health Clinics

Wal-Mart To Open More In-Store Health Clinics in General Healthcare

Today, Wal-Mart has 78 in-store health clinics around the country. In two years, they plan to have 400, reported the New York Times.

The newest clinic will be in Little Rock, Arkansas, and general health care will be administered by nurse practitioners from a well-known hospital group in the state.

“We have learned that people are willing to receive their health care from the front of a store or the back of a drugstore. But customers also have said they would rather it be delivered by a trusted name, a local health care practice, a trusted local provider of care.” explained Dr. John Agwunobi, a senior vice president at Wal-Mart.

To operate the new clinics, Wal-Mart is teaming up with local hospitals and medical groups. And they’re putting the quality of care in the hands of the medical professionals.

“The customer will always be able to trust that the partner we have chosen is fully licensed and in compliance with all local and regulatory rules and standards,” added Dr. Agwunobi.

For many, the health clinics can provide affordable medical care for people who have no insurance. About 55 percent of patients who have gone to a Wal-Mart health clinic are uninsured, the company estimates.

The average cost of a visit to a retail health clinic starts at around $50, and patients aren’t required to have health insurance.

The expansion of health clinics are a big move by the nation’s largest retailer, and they could give more people access to easy, convenient, affordable, and quality health care.

Comments[0]