Health Update: Health Update: Walmart launches new health and wellness platform – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Walmart said it has created a new online destination for a variety of health and wellness needs, including access to virtual care, GLP-1 resources and nutrition information.
Dubbed Better Care Services, the new platform offers access to a curated network of third-party providers for urgent care and behavioral health, as well as direct access to LillyDirect, which has a partnership with Walmart for the distribution of the Eli Lilly and Co. weight-loss drug Zepbound.
The platform will enable customers to consult with medical professionals online and then receive delivery of prescriptions and over-the-counter products, Walmart said in a blog post.
“We’re removing barriers so more people can get the care they deserve, right when they need it,” said Kevin Host, senior VP, health and wellness and pharmacy at Walmart.
Beginning Jan. 15, Walmart is offering a $15 discount on select telehealth services with participating providers, for a limited time.
The launch of the Better Care Services platform comes as Walmart has stepped up its efforts around health and wellness, including efforts to drive deeper relationships between its in-store pharmacists and patients. It also comes as Target has expanded its health and wellness offerings and made enhancements to its digital Wellness Hub.
Mental health consultation
In addition to virtual urgent care and weight loss consultations, the site currently includes three options for customers seeking mental health consultations: Doctor on Demand, BetterHelp and Cabana.
Another section of the Better Care Services site includes a link to “flu season essentials,” touting express delivery for cold and flu relief “in as little as one hour.” The site also has links to a scheduling platform where patients can schedule in-store testing and treatment for the flu, strep throat and COVID-19 at Walmart brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
For patients seeking urgent care the site lists online providers that can consult virtually for minor illnesses and injuries, but it instructs users to call 911 or visit a hospital emergency room for medical emergencies.
AI-powered nutrition information
The platform also features Walmart’s Nutrition Hub, which offers personalized food and recipe recommendations, powered by Walmart’s artificial-intelligence-driven Everyday Health Signals tool. Dietary recommendations can be tailored to a customer’s shopping preferences and budget, the company said.
The retailer said it is currently providing more than 400 affordable “New Year reset” recipes online and is rolling back prices on 1,000 wellness-focused items, including food, supplements, over-the-counter products and fitness essentials.
Walmart is also hosting its annual Wellness Event on Saturday, Jan. 24, at nearly 4,600 pharmacies nationwide, offering free health screenings, low-cost immunizations and wellness consultations.