Walmart is reportedly in talks to buy Humana, a deal which would give the retail giant a health insurer and provider of medical care established in the booming market of senior citizens eligible for Medicare.
Humana has one of the best-known brands among health insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans , a fast-growing form of coverage popular among seniors. In addition, Humana has been acquiring an array of doctor practices and outpatient assets in fast-growing retirement markets in the southern U.S. like Florida and Texas where Walmart is strong and seniors abound.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday night that Walmart was in “preliminary talks to buy” Humana, citing “people familiar with the matter.” The newspaper described such a deal as “a dramatic shift for the retail behemoth.”
But the shift wouldn’t be all that dramatic given Walmart has a long history of trying to get into healthcare . Walmart has pharmacies, retail clinics staffed by nurse practitioners, and, at various times in the last decade or so, has tried to buy and develop doctor practices and outpatient facilities. And the retailer already has a relationship with Humana.
"Walmart and Humana have been killing it since the launch of the Medicare drug benefit over a decade ago," Gorman Health Group executive chairman John Gorman said. "WalMart has pharmacies in hundreds of its stores and Humana is investing in a new line of primary care clinics. Imagine the two alongside each other in every WalMart. It's a deal aimed squarely at the senior market, and nobody does it better than Humana."
...
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Common
