There isn't much that you can't get at Wal-Mart anymore - including health insurance.
The world's largest retailer is getting ready to team up with DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance comparison agency, to enroll in and exchange plans that are cofered over the Affordable Care Act, reports The Associated Press.
"Our goal is to be the number one health-care provider in the industry," Labeed Diab, president of health and wellness for Wal-Mart U.S., tells Washington Post. "And the more we broaden our assortment, the more we broaden our offering, the more we educate the customer Wal-Mart is a great place to create a one-stop shop."
Selling insurance can help the retailer during its slow season when selling food, clothes, appliances and other basic products just isn't enough.
AP explains how it works: "For customers over 65, DirectHealth.com offers access to more than 1,700 plans from 12 carriers including Aetna, Cigna, Humana and UnitedHealthcare during the Medicare open enrollment period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. For customers under age 65, DirectHeath.com offers access to thousands of health exchange plans from more than 300 carriers. That open enrollment period is Nov. 15 to Feb. 15. "
Wal-Mart began offering hosting agents for individual healthcare insurers in 2005 in stores, reports WP. The newly announced offering expands on that service by offering health plans and guidance from thousands of insurers.
Wal-Mart will not be receiving any commissions on the health care, reports AP. However, selling the plans will bring customers into the store who will potentially look around and buy other products while they're on the store's premises.
The program kicks off on Oct. 10 and will run until Dec. 7. The program will be tracked and if successful it may be brought back next year, reports WP.
