https://mailchi.mp/f12ce6f07b28/the-weekly-gist-november-10-2023?e=d1e747d2d8

On Tuesday, Walmart Health announced deals with nine-hospital system Orlando Health and Ambetter from Sunshine Health, a Centene subsidiary offering Affordable Care Act exchange plans, to become a preferred provider in the Ambetter Value Plan. 

Walmart Health’s 23 Florida-based centers will provide primary care services and care coordination in a narrow-network health plan that includes Orlando Health. The Ambetter Value Plan is available in seven counties, covering the Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville areas.

While this partnership is limited to Florida, Walmart Health operates 48 centers in five states, with plans to open dozens more locations and expand into three additional states next year. 

The Gist: With a strong foothold and customer base in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid, Walmart Health centers are well positioned to be part of low-cost, narrow-network plans targeted at individuals who don’t qualify for Medicaid, or who were recently removed from the program. 

While Walmart Health already works with major insurers, this first-ever network partnership with a health system is a notable step forward for Walmart, advancing its healthcare delivery business beyond meeting basic primary care needs into more complex care coordination. 

While other large retail and pharmacy chains have opted to buy their way into the primary care space, Walmart is thus far building its own retail store-based clinic enterprise, with plenty of room to scale.