Walmart is involved in health insurance in several different ways in 2026. The company provides medical benefits to eligible Walmart associates, operates Walmart Insurance Services as a health insurance brokerage, and has announced a new partnership with SCAN Health to launch co-branded Medicare Advantage plans in two states.
There are several Walmart-related health insurance categories to consider:
Each category has different eligibility requirements and coverage rules.
Eligible Walmart associates can enroll in Walmart medical coverage.
Walmart states that full-time and eligible part-time associates can access medical coverage starting at $38.30 per biweekly pay period in 2026. The company says this is about one-third below the average premium at other national companies, although the actual employee cost depends on the selected coverage and eligibility.
Walmart's 2026 benefits information indicates that eligible associates can choose from medical coverage options and can also access dental and vision coverage.
The actual benefits available to an associate depend on eligibility and the particular plan selected.
Walmart states that associates enrolled in most of its medical plans can receive access to several healthcare services and programs.
These include:
Walmart says most medical-plan participants can access virtual primary, urgent, and mental healthcare at no cost through Doctor On Demand by Included Health.
One notable component of Walmart's employee medical benefits is its Centers of Excellence program.
Walmart states that associates enrolled in most medical plans can access specialists at certain leading facilities for complex medical needs.
The program can apply to areas such as:
Coverage and cost-sharing depend on the specific medical plan and eligibility requirements.
Prescription coverage is another component of Walmart's employee medical benefits.
Walmart states that associates enrolled in most Walmart medical plans pay a $4 copay for most generic prescriptions.
Actual prescription costs can vary according to the medication, plan, pharmacy, and applicable benefit rules.
Eligible Walmart associates can also have access to a Health Savings Account.
Walmart's 2026 benefits information states that associates enrolled in the Saver HSA Plan can contribute to an HSA and receive a company match.
An HSA is different from health insurance itself. The HSA is a tax-advantaged account that can be used for qualifying healthcare expenses when the applicable requirements are met.
The specific contribution amounts and plan rules should be reviewed in the official benefit documents.
Walmart's employee benefits also include dental and vision coverage for eligible associates.
The company states that eligible associates can enroll in dental and/or vision coverage. Its benefits information also describes preventive dental care and vision-related benefits.
These benefits are separate from medical insurance.
Walmart Insurance Services operates differently from Walmart's employee health benefits.
Walmart describes Walmart Insurance Services as a health insurance brokerage service rather than an insurance provider. It uses online services and insurance agents to help consumers review health insurance products and obtain coverage quotes from third-party insurers.
This means a consumer using Walmart Insurance Services may ultimately purchase a policy issued by another insurance company.
The insurer, policy terms, premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and coverage limits depend on the particular plan.
Walmart Insurance Services can help consumers review health insurance coverage options from third-party insurers.
The service should not be confused with Walmart directly underwriting or issuing a health insurance policy.
The availability of plans depends on factors such as:
The specific policy documentation should identify the actual insurance company providing the coverage.
Walmart has also been involved in Medicare-related insurance support.
In September 2026, Walmart and SCAN Health announced a collaboration to launch a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan in two states. Walmart said the offering is expected to be available to more than two million Medicare enrollees, subject to regulatory review and approval.
The announcement states that the planned offering may include benefits connected with pharmacy, vision, food, and over-the-counter products.
The plans are expected to become available during the Medicare Advantage enrollment period beginning October 15, 2026, subject to applicable approvals.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers that contract with Medicare.
The new Walmart-SCAN arrangement is therefore different from Walmart simply becoming a Medicare insurance company.
SCAN Health is the insurer involved in the announced partnership, while Walmart is contributing its retail, health and wellness, technology, and consumer-support capabilities.
The actual benefits, premiums, provider networks, drug coverage, and availability will depend on the approved plans and the states in which they are offered.
Older adults searching for Walmart health insurance may encounter several different services.
These can include:
A Medicare beneficiary should distinguish between Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, Part D prescription coverage, and other types of insurance.
The upcoming Walmart-SCAN offering specifically concerns Medicare Advantage rather than a general health insurance plan for all seniors.
Families can encounter different health insurance arrangements depending on whether the coverage is obtained through employment, an individual marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, or another program.
For Walmart associates, eligible family members can receive access to certain benefits under applicable Walmart medical plans.
Walmart's benefits information also describes mental-health benefits that extend to eligible family members, including no-cost sessions through Lyra.
The specific family coverage available depends on the employee's eligibility and selected plan.
The cost of Walmart employee health coverage depends on factors such as:
For 2026, Walmart states that medical coverage starts at $38.30 per biweekly pay period for full-time and eligible part-time associates.
This figure represents a starting employee premium rather than a universal price for every Walmart associate.
Whether reviewing Walmart employee coverage or an individual insurance policy through a brokerage, several factors can affect the overall cost.
The premium is the amount paid to maintain the insurance policy.
The deductible is the amount that may need to be paid for covered services before the plan begins paying according to its terms.
A copayment is a fixed amount paid for certain healthcare services.
Coinsurance generally represents a percentage of the allowed cost that the insured pays after meeting applicable deductible requirements.
The out-of-pocket maximum limits qualifying cost-sharing expenses under the plan during the applicable plan year.
The doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers included in a plan's network can significantly affect healthcare costs.
These terms can easily become confused.
| Feature | Walmart Employee Medical Coverage | Walmart Insurance Services |
|---|---|---|
| Primary audience | Eligible Walmart associates | Consumers seeking insurance |
| Provider | Walmart employee benefits program | Third-party insurers |
| Purpose | Employee healthcare benefits | Insurance brokerage |
| Individual marketplace policies | Not the primary purpose | Can help consumers review options |
| Dental and vision | Available to eligible associates | Depends on policy |
| HSA | Available with eligible Walmart plans | Depends on selected plan |
| Insurance provider | Walmart-sponsored employee plans | Third-party insurance companies |
Walmart Insurance Services explicitly states that it is a brokerage and not an insurance provider.
Medicaid is separate from Walmart's employee health insurance and private insurance brokerage services.
Eligibility for Medicaid depends on federal and state rules, including income and other eligibility criteria.
Someone who qualifies for Medicaid may have different coverage choices from someone purchasing an individual marketplace plan.
Walmart's insurance brokerage services should therefore not be treated as a replacement for government health programs.
Individual health insurance can also be obtained through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
A consumer comparing plans should consider the plan's premium, deductible, provider network, prescription coverage, subsidies, and out-of-pocket costs.
Walmart Insurance Services may provide information about health insurance products, but the actual policy is issued by a third-party insurer.
Walmart Health clinics should not be confused with Walmart's insurance services.
Walmart announced in April 2024 that it would close all 51 Walmart Health centers and discontinue Walmart Health Virtual Care. The company said it determined there was not a sustainable business model for continuing the healthcare-center operation.
This means the closure of Walmart Health clinics did not eliminate Walmart's separate insurance-related activities.
Walmart continues to provide employee health benefits and operate Walmart Insurance Services.
Before selecting a health insurance policy, useful questions include:
These details can vary substantially between plans.
Yes, but the answer depends on the type of coverage. Walmart provides medical insurance benefits to eligible associates and operates Walmart Insurance Services as a brokerage for consumers. Walmart is not the insurance provider through Walmart Insurance Services.
Walmart states that medical coverage starts at $38.30 per biweekly pay period for full-time and eligible part-time associates in 2026. Actual costs vary according to the selected plan and coverage level.
Walmart and SCAN Health announced a planned co-branded Medicare Advantage offering in two states in September 2026. The plans are subject to regulatory review and approval.
Walmart Insurance Services is not an insurance provider. Walmart describes it as a health insurance brokerage that helps consumers review coverage options from third-party insurers.
Eligible Walmart associates enrolled in the Saver HSA Plan can contribute to a Health Savings Account and receive a company match under the 2026 benefits program.
Walmart states that associates enrolled in most medical plans can receive no-cost virtual primary, urgent, and mental healthcare through Doctor On Demand by Included Health, subject to plan terms.
Walmart's health insurance presence in 2026 includes several distinct programs rather than one universal Walmart health insurance policy.
Eligible Walmart associates can access employer-sponsored medical coverage, with Walmart stating that 2026 medical premiums start at $38.30 per biweekly pay period. The employee benefits program can also include virtual healthcare, prescription savings, HSA benefits, dental and vision coverage, and access to Centers of Excellence.