From laying off nurses at a chain of its urgent care clinics to closing down clinics in Florida and Minnesota, some aspects of Optum are shrinking even with total revenue in the third quarter up 22% year over year.
Disruptors
Retail giant Best Buy has created a sizable healthcare presence through its remote patient monitoring partnerships with hospitals and other digital health services. The company has partnered with large health systems in Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York.
CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch said she was "sold immediately" on Oak Street Health, as the primary care provider's use of technology, data and its value-based care model impressed her, Crain's Chicago Business reported Nov. 7.
When Walmart founder Sam Walton declared the retailer's healthcare ambitions in 1991, he had harsh words for hospitals.
Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy said the U.S. healthcare experience should be easy, but it isn't, which is what inspired the company to offer more affordable and convenient options for consumers.
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Amazon Prime members can now get healthcare for an extra $9 a month.
In recent weeks, retail giant Walmart has expanded its in-house healthcare options for its massive workforce and made moves to create a lasting brick-and-mortar healthcare presence.
Microsoft recently posted three job openings related to its health business. Below are the open positions as of Nov. 3:
Hospitals are partnering with retail and tech disruptors such as Walmart, Walgreens, Instacart, CVS Health and One Medical to expand access to care at retail locations.
Tech giant Apple had aspirations to get into health clinics, Bloomberg reported Nov. 1.