Walmart Seeks to Become Nation's Largest Primary Care Provider

A spokeswoman for the retail giant Walmart has confirmed that the company is seeking partners in hopes to become "the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation," according to a Kaiser Health News report.

The spokeswoman declined to go into detail about Walmart's request for partners, but a 14-page request acquired by KHN reveals the retailer is seeking partners with expertise in chronic care management. In fact, the request asks potential partners how they would specifically manage patients with chronic conditions, including asthma and sleep apnea.

Walmart could choose its partners by January.

Walmart already offers in-store medical clinics. However, healthcare experts surmise that the retailer's move is a boosted effort to take part in the healthcare market before the healthcare reform law fully takes effect in 2014. At that time, millions of Americans are expected to be covered by public or private health insurance.

Healthcare analysts are unsure at this point whether the move will help deliver much-needed primary care services or if it will fragment healthcare. Experts are also unsure whether the move will help control costs.

Related Articles on Primary Care:

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Massachusetts' Southcoast Health System Funds 5-Year Initiative to Increase Access to Primary Care
HHS Awards $19.3M to Train Primary Care Providers

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