Walmart Expands Employee Healthcare Benefits, Covering GLP-1s, Insulin, and Inhalers at No Cost Starting 2027
Walmart announced it will cover over 250 prescriptions—including some insulin, inhalers, and diabetes-related GLP-1 medications—at no cost to employees starting in 2027. The move is part of a broader effort by the company to enhance benefits as open enrollment approaches on November 6. Walmart plans to offer Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro free for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, though these medications will not be covered for weight loss purposes. The changes aim to attract and retain workers amid rising healthcare costs that have led many employers to reduce benefits or increase premiums. Walmart is also minimizing premium increases by raising its starting plan rate by just $1.50 per pay period in 2027, a smaller hike than the previous year. Additional new benefits include expanded access to cancer specialists and second opinions for rare conditions like ALS and Parkinson’s. Walmart employs around 1.6 million workers in the U.S., making it the largest private employer in the country. The company has been working over several years to improve compensation after facing criticism regarding its healthcare offerings.
