Walmart to cover GLP-1s, insulin at no cost for workers in benefits push - report

Investing.com -- Walmart Inc (NASDAQ: WMT) plans to cover more than 250 prescription medications at no cost for its workforce, according to a staff memo from Chief People Officer Donna Morris reported by Bloomberg. The expansion includes popular diabetes treatments like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro for employees with Type 2 diabetes, subject to prior approval.

The initiative comes as corporate America faces escalating medical expenses, prompting many peer organizations to scale back benefits or eliminate GLP-1 drug coverage entirely. By contrast, the nation’s largest private employer is leveraging years of healthcare planning and pilot programs to widen coverage without passing significant premium increases onto workers next year.

Under the updated plan, Walmart will fully cover generic and select brand-name drugs across several key health categories, including cardiovascular treatments, migraine therapies, dementia medications, inhalers, and insulin. The expanded drug list marks a notable pivot in corporate healthcare strategy, balancing cost management with talent retention in a tight labor market.

In addition to prescription drug coverage, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer is broadening its specialized medical care programs. Starting next year, workers seeking evaluation or treatment for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or ALS can access specialized second opinions from the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, expanding a service previously reserved for cancer cases.

Walmart is also introducing a parental support benefit that provides 12 weeks of paid leave for employees whose newborns require treatment in neonatal intensive care units. The benefit enhancements build on a decade-long effort to bolster frontline compensation and perks, during which the retailer increased starting wages by 93% and added education benefits.

While employee insurance premiums will tick higher next year, a company spokesperson noted the increase will be smaller than in 2026. The measured rate adjustment reflects operational efficiencies derived from internal healthcare testing, allowing the retailer to absorb costs that are currently straining corporate balance sheets industrywide.

Original Article

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