Walmart Expands Centers of Excellence Associate Health Benefit to Include Virtually All Cancers

Business Wire 2-Oct-2024 8:30 AM

• America's largest private employer expands its Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence (COE) program to include virtually all cancers
• Walmart's Cancer COE is a collaboration with Mayo Clinic, which provides associates access to top cancer specialists
• The Walmart Cancer COE program covers the cost of cancer care and travel when recommended by Mayo Clinic – the associate never receives a bill for care received through the Walmart Cancer COE program

Walmart is building on its commitment to associates' health and well-being with the expansion of the Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence (COE). The Walmart Cancer COE is a collaboration with Mayo Clinic that gives associates diagnosed with cancer access to the cancer experts at Mayo Clinic.

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Supply chain associate and breast cancer survivor, Tasheka Saunders, is one of the many Walmart associates to receive life-saving care at no cost through the Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence health benefit. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Receiving a cancer diagnosis can lead to one of the most stressful times in a person's life – physically, emotionally and financially – and access to specialized medical expertise matters most," said Kim Lupo, Walmart senior vice president, Global Total Rewards. "The Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence program gives our associates access to the top cancer specialists in the country at no cost and helps get them on the path to wellness."

The American Cancer Society projects the United States to exceed two million new cancer cases for the first time this year.

Providing Access to the Very Best

For over a decade, Walmart's Cancer COE program has helped bridge gaps and provide Walmart associates access to the cancer experts at Mayo Clinic. Before now, the program centered around some of the most prevalent cancers – breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreatic and blood cancers. By expanding the Walmart Cancer COE program, associates and dependents on eligible Walmart medical plans can now access the same great benefit for virtually any cancer.

"We are thrilled to expand our longstanding relationship with Walmart, now providing a Centers of Excellence program for their associates that includes virtually all cancer types," said Lyell K. Jones, Jr., MD, consultant and professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic and Medical Director of Contracting and Payer Relations. "In working directly with employers like Walmart, we can remove barriers to high-quality care and deliver the best possible outcomes to more patients every day."

How Walmart's Cancer COE Program Works

Once a Walmart associate or their eligible dependent has been diagnosed with cancer and has a recommended treatment plan from their local provider, they can begin the Walmart Cancer COE process offered through their eligible Walmart medical plan. Mayo Clinic will review the patient's medical records, including diagnosis and treatment plan. If the cancer experts at Mayo Clinic can offer new or different treatment options than what is available or offered locally, they will recommend the patient travel to Mayo Clinic. The record review, travel and on-site care at Mayo Clinic come at no cost to the associate. Covered travel includes the cost of airline, hotel and food for the patient and one adult caregiver when traveling to a Mayo Clinic. Deductible and coinsurance apply to cancer care received outside of Mayo Clinic.

"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our associates and their families," Lupo said. "While we hope they never need to use the Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence benefit, we want them to feel reassured that, if that moment comes, access to top-quality support is available and accessible."

Hear from Walmart associate and breast cancer survivor, Tasheka Saunders, about how the Walmart Cancer COE saved her life.

For more information about the Walmart Cancer Centers of Excellence program, including eligibility and coverage details, go to one.walmart.com/COE.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.

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