Walmart to offer employees 250-plus medications at no cost in expanded health benefits

Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States with around 1.6 million domestic workers, announced on Tuesday a plan to provide its employees with over 250 medications free of charge. This expansion of healthcare benefits comes as the company tries to ease the burden of soaring healthcare costs amid inflation and rising oil prices.

Chief People Officer Donna Morris informed Walmart associates in a memo that the new benefits are part of the company's commitment to offering comprehensive and affordable healthcare. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease will be covered by no-cost specialist evaluations. Additionally, eligible full-time and part-time associates will have access to medical coverage for as little as $38.30 per biweekly pay period, in addition to a range of no-cost programs to assist with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or weight management, based on clinical eligibility.

The retail giant already offers associates 20 no-cost therapy sessions per year, plus up to $20,000 for fertility services, adoption or surrogacy.