Walmart Introduces First-Ever Health Center, Which Includes a Comprehensive Dental Clinic

The issues of healthcare affordability and accessibility are two of the biggest and most prevailing concerns in the United States today. Walmart is now prioritizing promoting better health outcomes for people. Over the last year, a team of healthcare experts and visionaries inside and outside of Walmart, have been exploring how to turn their motto: “Save money, live better” into also meaning “live healthier.”

On Friday, September 13, the megastore held a grand opening of its enhanced store experience and first-ever Walmart Health Center. The new 10,000 square-foot health center is located in Dallas, Georgia.

Walmart Health is the first to put primary and urgent care, labs, x-ray and diagnostics, counseling, dental, optical and hearing services all in one facility, partnering with expert providers to deliver these services.

Walmart Health services include (Dallas, GA only):

Primary care
Dental
Counseling
Labs & x-rays
Health screening
Optometry
Hearing
Fitness & nutrition
Health insurance education & enrollment

This new model for basic healthcare services is just the first in what is predicted to be a growing trend for the supercenter chain. Another Walmart Health center like the one in Dallas, GA is planned for Calhoun, GA early next year. Although Walmart has not announced any additional Health Centers, we here at Group Dentistry Now, expect to see many more to follow soon according to several DSO industry experts as the evolution of consolidation continues.

By partnering with local providers, the new Walmart Health center will deliver services including primary care, labs, X-ray and EKG, counseling, dental, optical, hearing, community health (nutritional services, fitness) and health insurance education and enrollment all in one facility, conveniently located outside the store with a separate entrance for customers.

The clinic will provide low, transparent pricing for key health services for local families, regardless of insurance status. A child can get an annual primary care check-up for $20, lab tests start at $10, and teeth cleaning for adults is $25, regardless of insurance status. Customers will be notified of the estimated cost of their visit when they book their appointment. See dental pricing below. (Click HERE for Walmart Health’s full summarized pricing list for all services.)

The Walmart Health center will be operated by qualified medical professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, behavioral health providers, and optometrists. Walmart Care hosts and community health workers onsite will help customers navigate their visit, understand resources and be a familiar presence for regular visits.

They are using technology to streamline the process to schedule, check-in, pay, get an estimate on the cost of their services and do other activities without paperwork. The health center includes specialized community health resources, online education and in-center workshops to educate the Dallas community about preventive health and wellness.

The Walmart Care Clinic is a primary care clinic which encompasses diagnosis and treatment of chronic and acute illnesses, as well as preventative services, such as immunizations, physicals and additional health screening. Their expanded scope of services enables them to be a primary medical provider. If a patient’s condition requires the services of a specialist, a referral is provided.

Staffed by certified nurse practitioners, healthcare professionals are fully licensed, credentialed and clinically experienced to provide primary health care. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of basic medical conditions, perform and interpret certain diagnostic tests, manage certain chronic conditions, administer vaccinations, make appropriate referrals for specialty or more advanced care, and prescribe medication when appropriate. Where required by law, nurse practitioners maintain a collaborative practice agreement with an independent physician, facilitating consultation as needed.

Walmart Care Clinic treats patients 18 months and older. However, ages for certain services and vaccines may vary. Appointments are available, however walk-ins are always welcome. They accept traditional Medicare, however, they do not accept any private Medicare managed care plans.

The Dallas, Georgia Supercenter remodel features enhanced customer shopping experience in many departments, like electronics, pharmacy and the vision center; expanded assortment and displays; and new features that help customers shop how, when and where they want in store, online or on their mobile devices.

Customers will enjoy a variety of redesigned departments in the store including a state-of-the-art electronics department with interactive displays. Parents and parents-to-be will notice a refreshed baby department with strollers at floor level giving them the ability to compare products more closely. Walmart has also expanded its hardware department to include a greater assortment of industrial and power tools, and customers can relax in a dedicated lounge area while associates take care of their auto care needs in the remodeled Auto Care Center.

“We plan to use our location in Dallas, Georgia, to learn how best to work with our partners to deliver the quality, affordable and accessible care customers want with the goal to take the Walmart Health center model to the other communities we serve…” -Sean Slovenski, SVP and President of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness

Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit 11,300 Walmart stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide.

With this giant’s expanding reach into healthcare services, and in particular dentistry, we will be following the disruption closely to see how it impacts the dental industry as a whole, dental support organizations and patient care.

Read other Walmart Health articles here:

Source: Walmart

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