Major retailers cut key healthcare services—here’s what’s changing and why it matters
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If you’ve noticed changes at your local Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens recently, you’re not alone.
These retail pharmacy giants have quietly reduced or ended four major healthcare services, impacting millions of Americans who depend on them for more than everyday essentials.
For older adults in particular, the closures affect access to in-person clinics, specialized treatments, and even health insurance coverage.
The decisions come amid rising costs, staffing challenges, and shifting consumer habits, prompting a major rethink of how retail and healthcare mix.
Here’s a closer look at what’s going away, what’s replacing it, and how it could affect your options for care.
Across the three chains, these are the key services being discontinued or scaled back:
Each played a unique role in improving convenience and affordability, particularly in communities with limited healthcare access.
Their reduction is more than a business shift—it’s a change in how care is delivered in neighborhoods across the country.
Walmart launched its health clinics in 2019, offering everything from basic checkups to dental care, often at lower prices than traditional providers.
For rural and low-income areas, these clinics were a vital resource.
But the company announced it would close all 51 locations across five states and end its virtual care program, citing rising operational costs and difficulty balancing retail with healthcare.
What’s next?
Walmart has partnered with CenterWell to open senior-focused primary care centers in 23 of the former clinic locations.
While the move may preserve some access, the transition will take time, and patients may need to seek temporary alternatives.
CVS has been reducing its footprint and services as part of a $2 billion expense-cutting plan.
The company is discontinuing certain Coram infusion services, which provided at-home IV treatments for chronic conditions, and is in the final stage of closing 900 pharmacy locations nationwide.
It will also withdraw its Aetna-branded Affordable Care Act health plans from the marketplace starting in 2026, affecting around one million customers in 17 states.
Why the changes?
Rising healthcare costs, particularly within its insurance division, and shifting customer needs have driven the changes.
CVS is also laying off nearly 3,000 employees, but some locations are being remodeled into HealthHub stores with expanded healthcare services, and a new CVS CostVantage pricing model aims to bring more transparency to prescription costs.
Walgreens invested more than $6 billion in VillageMD to bring primary care services into or alongside its pharmacies.
However, in 2024 the company announced it would close 160 of these clinics and 1,200 retail stores—about 14% of its total locations—over the next three years.
What’s behind the shift?
Financial pressures and the challenge of combining retail and clinical operations have prompted the company to expand virtual healthcare instead.
The service is now available in 30 states, offering remote appointments that may suit some customers but pose challenges for those without reliable internet access.
While some major retailers scale back in-person healthcare, Amazon is expanding its reach.
Since acquiring One Medical in 2023, the company has partnered with Cleveland Clinic to provide both in-person and virtual primary care, along with its Amazon Pharmacy service for prescriptions.
The trend toward telemedicine promises convenience and, potentially, cost savings.
However, it can also create barriers for individuals less comfortable with technology or living in areas with limited connectivity.
Several factors are contributing to these shifts:
If you’re over 60, you may feel the impact of these changes directly. You might need to:
The original idea of combining retail shopping with accessible healthcare isn’t disappearing — it’s shifting.
Large chains are reassessing what works and what doesn’t, while new players like Amazon are shaping the next phase of retail health.
The future will likely be a mix of specialized in-person services and expanded virtual options, with an emphasis on meeting patients where they are.
Read next: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
Have you lost care due to these closures? Would you switch to telemedicine? Do you think Amazon’s move into healthcare will help or hurt access? What are you doing to ensure you have reliable care? Share your thoughts in the comments.
These retail pharmacy giants have quietly reduced or ended four major healthcare services, impacting millions of Americans who depend on them for more than everyday essentials.
For older adults in particular, the closures affect access to in-person clinics, specialized treatments, and even health insurance coverage.
The decisions come amid rising costs, staffing challenges, and shifting consumer habits, prompting a major rethink of how retail and healthcare mix.
Here’s a closer look at what’s going away, what’s replacing it, and how it could affect your options for care.
Major pharmacy chains are making changes that could affect how communities access care. Image Source: Pexels / Total Shape.
The four big changes
Across the three chains, these are the key services being discontinued or scaled back:
- Walmart Health clinics and virtual care
- CVS Coram infusion services
- CVS Aetna ACA health plans
- Walgreens VillageMD primary care clinics
Each played a unique role in improving convenience and affordability, particularly in communities with limited healthcare access.
Their reduction is more than a business shift—it’s a change in how care is delivered in neighborhoods across the country.
Also read: Is your local Walgreens closing? Find out which stores are shutting down and why over 1,000 locations are vanishing!
Walmart: Closing the clinic doors
Walmart launched its health clinics in 2019, offering everything from basic checkups to dental care, often at lower prices than traditional providers.
For rural and low-income areas, these clinics were a vital resource.
But the company announced it would close all 51 locations across five states and end its virtual care program, citing rising operational costs and difficulty balancing retail with healthcare.
What’s next?
Walmart has partnered with CenterWell to open senior-focused primary care centers in 23 of the former clinic locations.
While the move may preserve some access, the transition will take time, and patients may need to seek temporary alternatives.
Also read: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
CVS: Cost-cutting and service changes
CVS has been reducing its footprint and services as part of a $2 billion expense-cutting plan.
The company is discontinuing certain Coram infusion services, which provided at-home IV treatments for chronic conditions, and is in the final stage of closing 900 pharmacy locations nationwide.
It will also withdraw its Aetna-branded Affordable Care Act health plans from the marketplace starting in 2026, affecting around one million customers in 17 states.
Why the changes?
Rising healthcare costs, particularly within its insurance division, and shifting customer needs have driven the changes.
CVS is also laying off nearly 3,000 employees, but some locations are being remodeled into HealthHub stores with expanded healthcare services, and a new CVS CostVantage pricing model aims to bring more transparency to prescription costs.
CVS locations remain a key part of many communities’ access to health and wellness services. Image Source: YouTube / WFAA.
Also read: How one shopper slashed her $98 CVS bill down to $11—here’s how you can do it too
Walgreens: Scaling back clinics and stores
Walgreens invested more than $6 billion in VillageMD to bring primary care services into or alongside its pharmacies.
However, in 2024 the company announced it would close 160 of these clinics and 1,200 retail stores—about 14% of its total locations—over the next three years.
What’s behind the shift?
Financial pressures and the challenge of combining retail and clinical operations have prompted the company to expand virtual healthcare instead.
The service is now available in 30 states, offering remote appointments that may suit some customers but pose challenges for those without reliable internet access.
Walgreens locations nationwide are seeing significant changes to their healthcare services. Image Source: YouTube / ABC 7 Chicago.
Also read: Are your prescriptions safe? How Walgreens got sued for filling millions of questionable orders!
The telemedicine trend—and Amazon’s entry
While some major retailers scale back in-person healthcare, Amazon is expanding its reach.
Since acquiring One Medical in 2023, the company has partnered with Cleveland Clinic to provide both in-person and virtual primary care, along with its Amazon Pharmacy service for prescriptions.
The trend toward telemedicine promises convenience and, potentially, cost savings.
However, it can also create barriers for individuals less comfortable with technology or living in areas with limited connectivity.
Also read: Medicare telehealth coverage gets a last-minute extension—but is it here to stay?
Why this is happening
Several factors are contributing to these shifts:
- Rising operational costs for staffing, supplies, and real estate
- Low reimbursement rates from insurers and government programs
- Changing consumer habits toward online shopping and digital care
- Regulatory demands that are costly and complex to meet
- Healthcare staffing shortages affecting clinic availability
What it means for you
If you’re over 60, you may feel the impact of these changes directly. You might need to:
- Find new providers if your regular clinic or pharmacy closes
- Try telemedicine with help from friends, family, or local digital literacy programs
- Review your insurance coverage if you’re on an Aetna ACA plan before the 2026 changes
- Stay updated on changes through your pharmacy, insurer, or local health department
The original idea of combining retail shopping with accessible healthcare isn’t disappearing — it’s shifting.
Large chains are reassessing what works and what doesn’t, while new players like Amazon are shaping the next phase of retail health.
The future will likely be a mix of specialized in-person services and expanded virtual options, with an emphasis on meeting patients where they are.
Read next: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
Have you lost care due to these closures? Would you switch to telemedicine? Do you think Amazon’s move into healthcare will help or hurt access? What are you doing to ensure you have reliable care? Share your thoughts in the comments.
