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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched Healthcare Begins Here, an in-store program letting customers explore health insurance options.
The company has partnered on the initiative with DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance comparison site. DirectHealth.com, an independent licensed health insurance agency, provides unprecedented access to insurance information, the retailer says.
Recent research found that more than 60% of Americans have reported difficulty understanding their health insurance plan options and nearly 40% feel they picked the wrong plan, notes Walmart.
DirectHealth.com also manages relationships with licensed insurance agents, enabling customers to compare coverage options and choose a Medicare or online exchange plan. Walmart customers can talk to licensed agents at new in-store counters.
“Walmart has long been known for innovation in health and wellness, and we’ll never stop delivering new products and services to the 140 million people who visit our stores each week,” said Labeed Diab, senior vice president and president of health and wellness at Walmart U.S.
“For years, our customers have told us that there is too much complexity when it comes to understanding their health insurance options. Healthcare Begins Here addresses that complexity by bringing clarity and increased choice to the insurance enrollment process through DirectHealth.com.”
Walmart has hosted agents from individual insurers to answer questions and enroll customers in their plans. Healthcare Begins Here takes this offering to the next level in response to customers who wanted more options to choose from.
Around 2,700 Walmart stores will be staffed by independent, licensed health insurance agents from DirectHealth.com who are able to help people enroll in plans. Agents can also help provide education and guidance on other insurance options. Customers can also compare and enroll in health plans online at DirectHealth.com or by phone.
For customers over age 65, DirectHealth.com offers access to more than 1,700 plans from 12 leading carriers, including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Enrollment can take place during the Medicare open enrollment period through December 7.
For customers under 65, DirectHealth.com offers access to thousands of health exchange plans from more than 300 carriers. The online open enrollment period takes place from November 15 to February 15.
Also in the health care arena, Walmart has introduced benefits for associates getting cancer care at Mayo Clinic.
Effective January 1, Walmart employees and family members enrolled in the company’s health reimbursement account plans or health savings account plan who are diagnosed with breast, lung or colorectal cancer can obtain a review of their medical records by Mayo Clinic and, when on-site visits are recommended, receive full coverage for treatment at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center locations in Rochester, Minn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Phoenix.
“We are proud to expand our Centers of Excellence with Mayo Clinic to help ensure that our associates and their covered family members who are diagnosed with cancer receive the best care,” said Sally Welborn, senior vice president of global benefits at Walmart. “The three cancers covered under our program are among the most prevalent experienced by associates on our health care plans.”
“We are pleased that Walmart approached us to help its associates diagnosed with breast, colon and lung cancer,” said Dr. Jan Buckner, deputy director for practice at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. “Our coordinated approach to cancer care offers patients the latest advances in treatment in a compassionate and caring environment.”
