Walmart, CareSource partner to address racial health inequities
Walmart and CareSource have agreed to a three-year deal that works to address racial inequities.
Through this partnership, Walmart will leverage its position as a retailer and provider of health and wellness services. CareSource will administer and deliver Medicaid, Medicare and other health plan benefits and services.
Together, the companies will cultivate innovative and evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes in under-resourced and underserved communities.
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“Our goal is to utilize our combined assets to create healthier individuals and communities,” said Walmart's vice president of social determinants of health, Warren Moore. “We’re trying to close the gaps in care and promote positive health behavior change through holistic, culturally sustaining, high-quality health and wellness solutions. CareSource is the ideal partner to help bring this vision to life.”
Starting in Ohio, the two companies will work on addressing cardiometabolic conditions by using Walmart’s in-store community health workers to facilitate the completion of state-approved health risk and social needs assessments. In addition, they will connect with select CareSource members to receive monthly funds to spend on food, a Walmart+ membership at no cost and access to telenutrition services to aid in the improvement of health outcomes, the companies said.
“This partnership will address the major needs our members face, which are difficulty with transportation, access to healthy food, access to care and assistance with care coordination,” said CareSource executive vice president and chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams. “We know providing additional support, such as an in-store community health worker, will create another access point to ensure our members have the resources they need, within a location they frequent. As a result of this relationship, we expect an immediate, positive impact in the lives of our members.”
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The two companies will also collaborate on a maternal and child health program to support positive lifestyle behavior change and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Georgia. Under the agreement, mothers 12 months post-partum enrolled in CareSource’s Georgia Medicaid program will have access to Walmart’s community health workers and a directed spending program with monthly funds.