Walmart and CareSource Announce Partnership
According to a Feb. 28 press release, Walmart and Dayton, Ohio-headquartered CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization, announced it has entered into a collaboration to address racial health disparities. The three-year deal will use Walmart’s position as a health and wellness services provider and CareSource’s role in administration and delivery of Medicaid, Medicare, and other health plan benefits to create new solutions to improve health outcomes in underserved communities where racial health inequities are prevalent.
The press release says that “The partnership will begin in Ohio, with a focus on cardiometabolic conditions (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension). According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease, stroke and diabetes were among the top 10 leading causes of death in the state. To address this, the partnership will utilize Walmart’s in-store Community Health Workers to facilitate the completion of state-approved health risk and social needs assessments, and connect select CareSource members to community resources, life skills support, and health literacy education. Eligible CareSource members will receive monthly funds to spend on food, a Walmart + membership for no cost delivery, and access to tele-nutrition services to aid in improving their health outcomes. CareSource members will also be able to take part in CareSource Life Services®, which includes including CareSource JobConnect, to provide a path to financial empowerment and improve both economic mobility and health outcomes.”
“The two entities will also work together on a maternal and child health program to support positive lifestyle behavior change and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Georgia, the state with the second-highest maternal mortality rate in the country,” the release adds. “Under the agreement, expecting mothers or mothers that are 12-months post-partum and enrolled in CareSource’s Georgia Medicaid managed care plan will have access to Walmart in-store Community Health Workers, a ‘directed spend’ program providing monthly funds to spend on food, tele-nutrition services, tele-doula services and will receive a Walmart+ membership.”
CareSource executive vice president and chief medical officer David Williams, M.D., was quoted in the release saying that “This partnership will address the major needs our members face, which are difficulty with transportation, access to healthy food, access to care and assistance with care coordination. We know providing additional support, such as an in-store community health worker, will create another access point to ensure our members have the resources they need, within a location they frequent. As a result of this relationship, we expect an immediate, positive impact in the lives of our members.”
