Walmart has continued to grow its presence in healthcare over the past few years, with expansions of its primary care clinics and the launch of its new insurance arm.
Disruptors
In the past decade, giant retailers and startups alike have tried to disrupt traditional healthcare delivery by increasing patient access and convenience, with varying levels of success.
From making telemedicine more consumer friendly to increasing access to care during the pandemic, retail giants including Amazon, Walmart and Walgreens are ramping up their virtual care initiatives and innovating the healthcare delivery system.
Amazon wants to provide online and in-person primary care for other large employers, people familiar with its plan told Business Insider.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expects the tech giant's devices and developments in healthcare and wellness to account for the company's overall greatest contributions.
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Since launching its beta program in September 2019, Amazon has scaled its virtual medical clinic Amazon Care for employees across the Seattle area.
Walmart has been deepening its presence in the healthcare industry in the past few years through various initiatives, including opening health clinics, offering diagnostic testing and expanding pharmacy programs.
Edward Marx, former CIO of Cleveland Clinic, recently co-authored a book on digital transformation in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and how hospitals can best compete with retail disruptors.
VillageMD said it plans to open more than 10 medical clinics offering in-person and telehealth services in the Atlanta region.
Large retail companies like Walmart, Walgreens and CVS are increasingly offering healthcare services at their locations across the U.S. as well as online.