Walmart and SCAN launch co-branded Medicare Advantage plans for older adults

Walmart and SCAN Health Plan are rolling out two co-branded Medicare Advantage plans starting Jan. 1, 2027, in parts of Texas and Arizona. The plans pair senior-focused coverage with Walmart’s shopping, pharmacy and AI-powered wellness tools to help older adults manage everyday care and chronic conditions.

Why it matters: - The plans aim to make Medicare coverage easier to use for older adults by tying benefits to groceries, prescriptions, vision care and other everyday needs. - The offering expands options for Medicare beneficiaries who want more personalized support, especially those managing chronic illness. - Walmart and SCAN are trying to turn routine shopping behavior into a health tool through personalized nutrition guidance.

What happened: - SCAN Health Plan and Walmart announced two co-branded Medicare Advantage plans: SCAN Walmart Health Advantage (HMO) and SCAN Walmart Medicare Complete Chronic Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). - The plans become available Jan. 1, 2027, to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in six Texas counties and three Arizona counties. - The rollout is expected to be available to more than 2 million Medicare enrollees. - Medicare beneficiaries can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027. - Eligible individuals may also qualify to enroll in a Walmart C-SNP outside the Annual Enrollment Period through Special Enrollment Periods.

The details: - The Texas counties are Bexar, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery. - The Arizona counties are Maricopa, Pima and Pinal. - The plans combine Medicare Advantage coverage with benefits designed around Walmart’s pharmacy, vision and retail footprint. - Members can use over-the-counter and healthy food allowances across Walmart’s assortment of groceries, health and wellness products and everyday essentials. - Walmart’s Everyday Health Signals℠ platform provides nutrition insights from shopping behavior for members who opt in. - Participating members receive tailored food recommendations based on health goals, preferences and shopping habits. - The C-SNP is designed for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular disease. - The C-SNP may be a fit for beneficiaries who qualify for full or partial Medicare and Medicaid benefits. - SCAN Walmart Medicare Complete (HMO C-SNP) includes a low monthly plan premium, $0 copays for primary care visits and $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription drugs. - The C-SNP includes a $2,400 annual FlexEssentials allowance for eligible OTC items and healthy foods, with quarterly limits possibly applying within that annual amount. - The C-SNP also includes up to a $350 vision allowance and comprehensive dental coverage between $3,000 and $4,000. - SCAN Walmart Health Advantage (HMO) includes a $0 monthly premium, $0 copays for primary care visits and $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription drugs. - The HMO plan includes up to $780 annually in FlexEssentials allowance for eligible OTC items and healthy foods, with quarterly limits possibly applying within the annual amount. - The HMO plan includes up to a $350 vision allowance and comprehensive dental coverage between $3,000 and $3,500. - HMO members also get access to low-cost prescriptions through Walmart’s Preferred pharmacy. - The Chronic Special Needs Plan premium is $0 only for members with full Low Income Subsidy. - The Walmart CSNP premiums are $16.80 in Arizona and $6.30 in Texas. - Prescription copayments and coinsurance may vary by plan, county, pharmacy, type, day supply, Part D phase and whether a member receives Extra Help. - The OTC and healthy food allowance is a special supplemental benefit for chronically ill members and requires an eligible chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, lung disease or dementia. - Not all members with chronic conditions will qualify for that benefit. - SCAN’s network includes other providers and pharmacies. - SCAN Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract, and enrollment depends on contract renewal.

Between the lines: - The partnership is built around convenience as much as coverage, using Walmart’s retail and pharmacy reach to reduce friction in day-to-day care. - The AI-based nutrition feature signals a broader push to connect consumer shopping data with health plan engagement. - The chronic care plan suggests the partners see a market among Medicare members with more complex needs, not just general enrollment beneficiaries.

What’s next: - The plans will begin coverage Jan. 1, 2027, in the listed Texas and Arizona counties. - Members can review plan details at More information. - SCAN and Walmart are positioning the launch as an ongoing effort to help members use their benefits more effectively throughout the year.

The bottom line: - Walmart and SCAN are betting that Medicare members will value a plan that links insurance, shopping and wellness support in one experience.