In 2019, Walmart launched a chain of health clinics across the country to provide low-cost healthcare to anyone in need. According to ReconStrategy.com, this is the fifth (and seemingly most successful) attempt that Walmart has made since 2005 to launch a branded chain of clinics.
Walmart Health is a popular choice among people without medical insurance, as the out-of-pocket prices for services are competitively low. However, Walmart Health also works with most major insurance companies to provide care to a wide range of patients.
One of the best things about Walmart Health clinics is that they accept walk-in appointments for many of their services. Today, we’ll dive into what services Walmart Health provides and how to take advantage of them as a walk-in patient.
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Walmart Health Services For Walk-In Patients
Walmart’s new walk-in health clinics are operated by independent doctors and health professionals who are not employed directly by Walmart. Instead, Walmart owns the clinic locations and leases out the space to independent medical professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners. This is the same idea that Walmart and other major retailers have been using for years to operate their optical centers.
Walmart’s clinics operate under a variety of names, including Walmart Health, The Clinic at Walmart, or simply Walmart Medical Clinic.
Walmart Health offers medical, dental, and mental health services. While Walmart Health can address some emergency medical situations, they are not an urgent care service. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should visit your nearest urgent care clinic or emergency room or call 911.
However, if you are experiencing a medical emergency and Walmart Health is your nearest clinic, don’t hesitate to go in as a walk-in patient. If you need care that is not available at Walmart, they can send you to another clinic or hospital that can provide the care you need.
Some of the walk-in services available through Walmart Health include…
- Wellness visits
- Sports physicals
- Well Woman exams
- Screenings for certain chronic conditions such as back pain
- Prescription renewals
- Cold and flu treatment
- Emergency care (limited)
- Dental exams and cleanings
- Mental health intake and assessment
It’s important to remember that walk-in services are available on a limited basis depending on how busy the clinic is at any given time. The majority of the services available through Walmart Health–particularly dental and mental health services–are only accessible via pre-scheduled appointments. Walmart Health lists its full range of medical, dental, and mental health services on its website.
Insurance
As mentioned above, Walmart Health works with most major insurance companies. Some of the most common examples include Humana, UnitedHealthCare, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Here is what Walmart Health has to say about their insurance and payment policy…
Pricing
Pricing for Walmart Health services varies by location and is subject to change over time.
When Walmart Health first launched in 2019, Walmart published a list of its prices as they were made available at the Walmart Health location in Dallas, GA, which was the first Walmart clinic to open.
A link to a PDF copy of this list is available here.
Walmart Health also published a list of their immunization and testing prices in 2019…
To view the full copy of this list, click here.
Unfortunately, Walmart Health has not updated their published prices since 2019, so it’s possible that some of these prices have gone up in the past four years.
However, when you register for your Walmart Health appointment online, you will be provided with an estimated cost for your services.
Keep in mind that all of these prices apply to out-of-pocket services. If you have insurance accepted by Walmart Health, it’s likely that the cost of most of these services will be covered by your insurance.
What To Expect During Your Visit
Visiting a Walmart walk-in clinic is much like visiting any other medical clinic as a first-time patient. You will need to provide some information about yourself and you will be asked some questions to help the care providers understand your needs.
As a walk-in patient, you should expect to provide Walmart Health with the following…
- Your first and last name
- Your birthdate
- A government-issued ID
- Your insurance information (not required)
- Some information about your medical history and any known allergies
If you do not have an ID, you should still be able to receive care. However, you might be expected to provide additional information.
Some questions that health providers often ask when seeing new patients for the first time might feel personal. But they’re aimed at understanding your personal health circumstances.
Common questions you might be asked as a walk-in patient include…
- Do you drink or use tobacco products? If yes, how often?
- Do you use drugs recreationally? If yes, how often?
- Do you have any known allergies to medications?
Keep in mind that you are not obligated to answer any questions you do not feel comfortable answering. However, medical professionals are not legally allowed to report illegal drug use to the police. So, even if you share vulnerable information, you can trust the container of confidentiality between you and your care provider.
Once you’ve provided your basic information, your wait time will vary depending on the services you need and how many other patients are at the clinic when you arrive. Unfortunately, there is no good way to predict how long you will have to wait to be seen by a doctor. If your situation is serious, your appointment will likely be prioritized.
Walmart Health clinics are typically open from 9 AM to 7 PM, although hours may vary by location. To decrease your wait time, try visiting the clinic as early in the day as possible.
Customer Reviews
Overall, Walmart Health has a great reputation for being a reliable healthcare clinic offering affordable and quality medical care to those who might not otherwise be able to afford the services they need.
This Reddit user makes a great case for the usefulness of Walmart clinics…
How To Find Your Nearest Walmart Walk-in Clinic
To find a Walmart walk-in clinic near you, visit this link and enter your zip code or city and state.
As of February 2023, Walmart Health does not have an app. However, you can access information about Walmart Health services any time through their website here.
Keep in mind that not every Walmart location has a Walmart Health clinic, so it’s important to look up a clinic location before you go.
FAQs
What is the difference between urgent care and a walk-in clinic?
Urgent care clinics are equipped to treat more severe medical circumstances than walk-in clinics, although the two often function similarly. They both accept walk-ins.
Is it cheaper to go to a walk-in clinic or to your doctor?
This depends. If you have insurance, you might be able to receive free or reduced cost care regardless of whether you go to a walk-in clinic or your primary care provider. However, if you do not have insurance, many walk-in clinics offer lower cost services especially when compared to the cost of visiting an emergency room. Walmart Health offers particularly low out-of-pocket prices for their long list of services.
Are walk-in clinics free in Canada?
Yes. However, you might be charged a small fee if you are visiting from another province or territory, or if you are not a Canadian resident or citizen.
