Walmart opens new 6,200-square-foot health format in Springdale 

Walmart’s newest health and wellness clinic prototype in Springdale is the retail giant’s latest iteration of expanded services, and is the fourth health clinic located within a store. The store is managed with a combination of employees and healthcare providers.

The clinic is in the Supercenter on Elm Springs Road in north Springdale just off Interstate 49.

The other three Walmart health centers are located in the Georgia cities of Dallas, Calhoun and Loganville. Amber Bynum, senior director of Walmart Health Operations, said the retailer wanted to put a clinic in its backyard and start with this new streamlined prototype, which is about 30% smaller than the other facilities.

Bynum said Walmart took the lessons learned from Dallas and Calhoun, which have been open since last fall. Walmart’s objective from the start has been to use its retail experience to design and carry out a more integrated and consumer-friendly health experience. The clinics are one-stop shops for primary care, dental care, vision and hearing services as well as behavioral health, fitness and wellness education classes.

“With 90% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart store, we believe we can help by bringing quality healthcare to the communities that need it most. We don’t take lightly the responsibility to serve our customers in this way, including through our $4 generic prescription program we launched more than a decade ago. It’s more important than ever, which is why we’re opening more Walmart Health locations, so we can help even more customers access the healthcare they need,” said Sean Slovenski, senior vice president of health & wellness at Walmart U.S.

He said unemployment is rising amid COVID-19, and millions of Americans are likely without healthcare insurance and unable to afford the primary care or other health needs as they arise.

Walmart has said it will be completely transparent with the pricing for services, which include everything from primary care checkups with lab results, x-rays and electrocardiogram testing, to dental services including crowns made on-site, as well as audio and optical services and mental health counseling.

The clinic in Springdale will also have a nutritionist who can work with patients on dietary planning related to diabetes, obesity or just for those seeking information on healthier food choices.

Walmart Health in Springdale will employ about 50 people, two nurse practitioners, two advanced practice nurses and Dr. Rhonald Searcy, who is an independent contractor. The clinic hours are from 7:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Bynum said the clinic’s smaller footprint allows for the same number of patients to be seen as the larger clinics in Georgia. There are four dental exam rooms and six rooms for primary care. There is also a large meeting space for nutrition education classes and fitness classes. Bynum said the new waiting room is small because Walmart never wants to see patients waiting for their appointment. She said the patient arrives and is greeted by the staff, their temperature is checked and they are asked to wear a mask. The patient is then taken back to see the healthcare professional for their appointment.

Bynum said Walmart Health accepts insurance but expects there will be many cash customers given the high-deductible plans many families now have. The clinic treats patients 18 months and older. The cost of a routine adult visit is $50, and youth visits are $30.

Bynum said the dental services will be offered in the next month, tentatively July 22, and those appointments also will be booked online.