Walmart launches health insurance education program

To bring transparency and simplicity to the changing health insurance market, Walmart is working with DirectHealth.com to launch Healthcare Begins Here, an in-store program designed to educate customers on health insurance options.



DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance comparison site, which is an independent licensed health insurance agency, will provide a resource that brings Walmart customers access to health insurance information and enrollment support.



“Walmart has long been known for innovation in health and wellness, and we’ll never stop delivering new products and services to the 140 million people who visit our stores each week,” said Labeed Diab, SVP and president, health and wellness, Walmart U.S. “For years, our customers have told us that there is too much complexity when it comes to understanding their health insurance options. Healthcare Begins Here addresses that complexity by bringing clarity and increased choice to the insurance enrollment process through DirectHealth.com.”



More than 60% of people have difficulty understanding their health insurance plan options and nearly 40% feel they picked the wrong plan after enrollment, Walmart noted, citing recent research from the Kaiser Family Foundation.



DirectHealth.com also manages relationships with licensed insurance agents, enabling customers to compare coverage options and enroll in the plan that is right for them whether that be a Medicare plan or Public Healthcare Exchange plan through online, phone and in-store services.



Since 2005, Walmart has hosted insurance agents from individual insurers in stores to answer questions and enroll customers in specific healthcare plans. Healthcare Begins Here, through DirectHealth.com, takes this offering to the next level in response to customers who wanted more options to choose from.



For customers over 65:

DirectHealth.com offers access to more than 1,700 plans from 12 leading carriers including Aetna, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies;

Customers can compare and enroll in health plans online at DirectHealth.com or over the phone at 888-383-2111;

2,700 Walmart stores will be staffed by independent, licensed health insurance agents from DirectHealth.com that can help customers enroll in certain health insurance plans. Agents can also help provide education and guidance on other insurance options; and

Enrollment can take place during the Medicare open enrollment period from Oct. 15, 2014 through Dec. 7, 2014.



For customers under 65:

DirectHealth.com offers access to thousands of Health Exchange plans from more than 300 leading carriers;

Customers can compare and enroll in health plans online at DirectHealth.com or over the phone at 888-327-0388;

2,700 Walmart stores will be staffed by independent, licensed agents from DirectHealth.com who can help provide education and guidance about health insurance options; and

The Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period takes place from Nov. 15, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2015.