Walmart is expanding its health care benefits for employees, adding more than 250 prescription medications at no cost, including certain GLP-1 drugs, insulin products and inhalers.
The changes, announced Oct. 13, will expand prescription coverage under most of the retailer's medical plans in 2027, according to Reuters and Fox Business.
The new benefit includes GLP-1 medications at no cost for eligible associates with Type 2 diabetes. Walmart said employees will need a new prior authorization approval to qualify for the free GLP-1 medications.
The changes arrive during Walmart's annual benefits enrollment period, which runs through Nov. 6. The company employs about 1.6 million people in the United States, making it the country's largest private
employer.
What medications will Walmart employees get for free?
Walmart's expanded prescription coverage includes more than 250 medications, including certain insulin products, inhalers and GLP-1 drugs. The company also highlighted medications for expensive conditions, including hemophilia and multiple sclerosis.
For example, Walmart said eligible employees taking Kesimpta, a medication for multiple sclerosis, will pay nothing for the drug in 2027 if they receive prior authorization approval. In 2026, those employees pay the greater of $50 or 20% of the drug's allowable cost. The manufacturer list price is slightly more than $10,000 per month, according to Walmart.
Walmart is also expanding its Centers of Excellence benefit, which provides access to specialized medical care. Employees can now use the benefit to seek second opinions for serious conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The program already provides access to care for serious conditions such as cancer through providers including Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.
Walmart health insurance premiums will increase
Although the company is expanding coverage, employees will pay slightly more for its starting health insurance plan.
Starting medical coverage for eligible Walmart employees will cost $39.80 per biweekly pay period in 2027, up from $38.30 in 2026, according to the company's benefits website.
Walmart said the $1.50 increase is smaller than last year's increase and increases it has seen from other employers. The company also said its starting-plan premiums have been about 30% below the national average in recent years.
Chief People Officer Donna Morris addressed the changes in a memo to employees.
"We're adding even more ways to help you and your family live better through comprehensive and affordable healthcare and benefits," Morris said.
A Walmart spokesperson said the changes reflect years of planning and efforts to improve benefits without significantly increasing premiums.
"Well-being isn't built overnight, and neither were our benefits plans," the spokesperson said. "The steps we're taking are based on years of planning and trying new things, which is allowing us to make meaningful improvements for associates without slashing benefits or significantly raising premiums."
What other health benefits does Walmart offer?
Walmart already offers employees 20 no-cost mental health therapy sessions annually and up to $20,000 in financial assistance for fertility treatments, adoption or surrogacy services.
The retailer is also introducing up to 12 weeks of dedicated paid leave for employees whose newborns require care in a neonatal intensive care unit. The benefit begins Nov. 17 and can be combined with existing maternity, parental and other paid leave benefits.
Contributing: Reuters
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Walmart expands health benefits with free GLP-1 drugs
