Photo courtesy of Walmart
Walmart announced it has expanded its Better Care Services platform, which connects customers to third-party providers, to include digital health companies Twin Health, Curai Health, Wheel, Berry Street and Aaptiv, in order to improve access to weight management support, including GLP-1s.
Aaptiv is a personalized fitness app that includes classes, GLP-1 companion programming and nutrition articles, while Berry Street connects individuals to registered dietitians for nutrition therapy.
Curai Health is an AI-enabled virtual clinic with dietitian services, personalized coaching and cognitive support. Through the company's partnership with Walmart, customers not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid will have access to Curai's weight-loss GLP-1 agent at no cost from April 15 to July 31, including clinician visits. Beginning Aug. 1, Curai's virtual care and weight loss offerings will be available for $29 each per month.
For customers already taking GLP-1s, Walmart is providing access to MyCare by Twin Health, a digital twin company focused on metabolic health. MyCare will offer support to individuals using GLP-1s who aim to keep the weight off long-term.
"MyCare provides real-time, personalized insights into how food, sleep and activity affect the body. Paired with a dedicated care team to provide clinical support, these insights help people adapt as their bodies change and build sustainable habits for lasting weight loss and optimal health," Walmart said in a statement.
Through Walmart's platform, the weight management virtual care platform Wheel will allow customers to access providers trained in obesity management without a membership or subscription. Customers can schedule telehealth visits with ongoing monitoring, medication management and personalized care plans. Initial visits will cost $99, with follow-up appointments at $35.
Prescriptions for all offerings through Better Care will be fulfilled through Walmart Pharmacy, and customers will also have access to Walmart Everyday Health Signal's Nutrition Hub, which offers food and recipe choices focused on building healthier habits.
"Walmart is also launching a redesigned GLP-1 digital destination on Walmart.com, helping customers explore related products and services, and find medically reviewed nutrition guidance," the retail giant said.
"Beginning in July, eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries will gain access to certain GLP-1 medications through a short-term demonstration, known as the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge."
Walmart said it will continue to expand its weight management offerings in the future by adding more services and providers to its Better Care Services platform.
THE LARGER TREND
Last year, Walmart announced a partnership with pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company that would allow customers to access direct-to-consumer pricing of GLP-1 Zepbound (tirzepatide) single-dose vials available through Eli Lilly's digital healthcare platform LillyDirect.
Through the collaboration, customers could pick up vials of Zepbound at Walmart pharmacies nationwide, while receiving LillyDirect’s direct-to-consumer pricing, or self-pay pricing, according to the companies, which offered a 50% or greater discount compared to the list price of other GLP-1 medicines for obesity.
In 2024, Walmart announced the launch of same-day prescription delivery, enabling customers to receive medication refills and general merchandise in a single order via the Walmart app and website.
