Walmart is shuttering all its 51 health centers and ending virtual care services as Amazon leans into the space

Walmart opened its first health clinic in Georgia in 2019 and since expanded to Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, and Texas.

Staffed by physicians and licensed care providers, the clinics offered services ranging from primary care to behavioral health, as well as labs and X-rays. Virtual care was also available through walmarthealth.com.

Earlier this year, the company had planned to double the number of clinics, but a spokesperson told the Dallas Morning News the decision to close was made after the company received new information about reimbursements from insurers.

Meanwhile, Amazon last year expanded a benefit for Prime members, giving them access to online services and visits at hundreds of One Medical clinics in cities across the US.

By contrast, Walgreens said last month it would close 160 Village MD clinics after taking a $5.8 billion hit in the business.

Walmart continues to operate pharmacies at about 4,600 stores across the US, with over 4,000 those in what it calls “medical provider shortage areas.”

“Our pharmacies are often the front door of healthcare,” the company said.