Walmart and UnitedHealth to offer preventive health care program for seniors

Walmart and UnitedHealth Group announced this Wednesday that they will join forces in the healthcare industry. They will provide preventive health care services for people over 65. The range of services will also include online counseling for patients.

The 10-year collaboration will help retail giant Walmart improve its market position.

Evercore IS analysts Mike Newshel and Elizabeth Anderson said in a research note that the project benefits both parties — Walmart clinics will be able to increase their customer base through UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage program. At the same time, UnitedHealth will be able to place its booths for registering new clients at Walmart stores.

The organization wants to focus on heart disease and diabetes, which are some of the most common diseases.

Dan Schumacher, director of strategy and growth for UnitedHealth Group, said they want to expand their customer base to hundreds of thousands of seniors through this collaboration. Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Walmart's executive vice president of health and wellness, sees the organizations' main goal as making health care more accessible.

In addition, the companies also want to launch a Medicare Advantage plan under their brands in Georgia.