215: Why Walmart and other retailers are exiting primary care delivery and why it matters

Radio Advisory

In recent years, we’ve seen large retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and even Amazon add to their care delivery portfolios, specifically through offering low-acuity primary care services. But it seems like the tide may be shifting. In April, Walmart announced that it’s shuttering its primary care operations and virtual care arm—and it’s not the only one scaling back. The fact is, a number of retailers are retrenching on primary care operations.

In this episode, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board experts Vidal Seegobin, Natalie Trebes, and Eliza Dailey to unpack exactly why Walmart and other retailers are pulling back on primary care delivery, and why the conventional explanation –"healthcare is too complex”– falls short.

Links:

• Walmart Health is closing down. Here's what you need to know.
• Another one bites the dust: What Walmart's retreat from healthcare means for providers
• 5 trends (re)shaping site-of-care shifts
• 6 insights on consumer preferences in healthcare
• How Amazon, CVS, Walmart, and more are impacting provider pay
• Our Disruption playlist
• Ep. 130: Healthcare disruptors: Don't discount retailers

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A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on radioadvisory.advisory.com.