Walmart to acquire MeMD

Walmart Health will acquire multi-specialty telehealth provider MeMD as part of the company’s push to leverage data and technology to improve health engagement, equity, and outcomes.

According to a news release, over the coming months the acquisition will allow Walmart Health to provide virtual urgent, behavioral, and primary care nationwide complimenting the company’s in-person health centers. Walmart’s focus is on consumer engagement, improved health outcomes, and equitable access to care seeking to lower overall healthcare costs across all populations.

“Telehealth offers a great opportunity to expand access and reach consumers where they are and complements our brick-and-mortar Walmart Health locations. Today people expect omnichannel access to care and adding telehealth to our Walmart Health care strategies allows us to provide in-person and digital care across our multiple assets and solutions,” Cheryl Pegus, MD, executive vice president of Health & Wellness, says in the release. “Our Health & Wellness mission is to focus on the consumer’s seamless experience and improved health. We are excited to welcome MeMD employees to the Walmart family, and we are looking forward to together, accelerating health care access across the country.”

The acquisition is expected to close in the coming months pending regulatory approval, the release says.

“We’ve achieved incredible strides in making healthcare available to individuals and businesses around the country through our easy, affordable and intuitive online platform,” MeMD CEO Bill Goodwin says in the release. “We can’t imagine a better partner than Walmart as we are both committed to innovative healthcare delivery and bringing affordable, high-quality care to as many people as possible. MeMD’s mission fits perfectly with Walmart’s dedicated focus to help people save money and live better, and now we can impact millions more by being part of Walmart.”