Walmart Unveils ‘Better Care Services’ Digital Health Platform to Expand Access to Affordable Care

Key Takeaways: 

• Walmart has launched Better Care Services, a new digital health platform designed as a single access point for healthcare services, wellness tools and products.
  
• The platform connects customers to third-party providers, including urgent care, behavioural health services and Eli Lilly’s LillyDirect telehealth platform.
  
• The launch is accompanied by price reductions on wellness products, a limited-time telehealth discount and a nationwide in-pharmacy Wellness Event.
  
  
  

A new one-stop digital health destination

Walmart has launched a new digital healthcare platform, Better Care Services, positioning it as a streamlined, one-stop destination intended to help people navigate healthcare and wellness more easily.

In announcing the launch, the company said the platform is “designed to help empower millions of customers to take control of their health journeys with ease, transparency and confidence.” The initiative reflects Walmart’s broader strategy to integrate digital health services with its existing retail, pharmacy and wellness offerings.

Access to third-party care and telehealth services

Better Care Services provides customers with access to a curated network of third-party healthcare providers, with an initial focus on urgent care and behavioural health services. Through the platform, people can connect to providers offering virtual care options aimed at addressing both immediate and ongoing health needs.

The platform also integrates LillyDirect, the direct-to-consumer telehealth platform developed by Eli Lilly. This allows customers to access telehealth services linked to Lilly’s digital health ecosystem through the Walmart interface.

According to a Walmart news release dated 8 January, the company is also introducing a limited-time USD 15 discount on select telehealth services with participating providers. This offer is set to begin on 15 January, reinforcing the company’s emphasis on affordability and access.

AI-powered nutrition and personalised recommendations

Beyond clinical services, Better Care Services includes a nutrition hub that uses artificial intelligence to support people in making food choices aligned with their health goals. The tool provides personalised food and recipe recommendations, drawing on Walmart’s extensive grocery range and existing digital infrastructure.

The inclusion of AI-enabled nutrition support reflects growing interest in digital tools that link dietary guidance with everyday purchasing decisions, particularly within large retail and pharmacy ecosystems.

Removing barriers to care

Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness and Pharmacy at Walmart, framed the platform as a response to persistent challenges in accessing care.

“We know that when health care feels hard, many people do not get the care they need. We can fix that,” Host said.

“Better Care Services is about making wellness simple and affordable to fit into your life; we are removing barriers so more people can get the care they deserve, right when they need it.”

These comments underline Walmart’s stated aim to reduce complexity, cost and friction within healthcare journeys, particularly for people who may delay or avoid care when systems feel difficult to navigate.

Price reductions and nationwide wellness initiatives

Alongside the digital platform launch, Walmart announced plans to reduce prices on more than 1,000 wellness-focused items, spanning food, supplements and fitness products. The move is intended to complement the digital offering by addressing affordability across both services and everyday health-related purchases.

The company will also host its annual Wellness Event on 24 January at nearly 4,600 Walmart pharmacies nationwide. The in-store event is set to include free health screenings, low-cost immunisations and wellness consultations, further linking digital access with physical pharmacy-based care.

Positioning digital health within retail healthcare

Taken together, Better Care Services, price reductions and in-pharmacy events highlight Walmart’s continued efforts to position itself as a central player in retail-based healthcare. By combining telehealth access, AI-driven nutrition tools, pharmacy services and discounted wellness products, the company is seeking to create a more integrated and accessible healthcare experience for people across the United States.