Walmart announced plans to expand employee healthcare benefits starting in 2027, covering more than 250 prescription medications without cost to workers. The expansion includes coverage of specific GLP-1 medications for Type 2 diabetes management, such as Novo’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, alongside insulins and inhalers. However, the company will not cover GLP-1 treatments prescribed for weight loss purposes, aligning with broader industry practice among large employers seeking to manage healthcare expenditures.
The benefit expansion comes as Walmart attempts to strengthen employee recruitment and retention amid competitive labor market pressures. The company, which employs approximately 1.6 million workers in the U.S., has faced previous scrutiny regarding compensation and healthcare offerings. The latest initiative represents a continuation of Walmart’s multiyear effort to enhance employee benefits packages and strengthen overall compensation structures.
Alongside prescription coverage changes, Walmart is expanding access to specialized medical services. Employees will gain the ability to obtain second opinions from specialists at major medical centers for rare diseases including ALS, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, building on existing cancer specialist consultation benefits at Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, the company introduced new parental support through up to 12 weeks of neonatal intensive care unit leave for parents, available in addition to standard parental and maternity leave benefits.
Premium increases for employees will remain limited, with the starting plan increasing by $1.50 per pay period to $39.80, representing a smaller adjustment than the previous year’s increase. Walmart characterized these changes as the result of extended planning and pilot testing, enabling meaningful improvements without eliminating existing benefits or implementing substantial premium hikes. Open enrollment for Walmart employees concludes on November 6.
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