Walmart Covers Ozempic and Mounjaro for Employees with Diabetes

Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., is enhancing its employee healthcare benefits by covering over 250 additional prescriptions. Among these are Ozempic and Mounjaro, which will be covered for employees diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but not for cosmetic weight loss.

The announcement, made ahead of the November 6 open enrollment deadline, signals a move to bolster employee compensation and benefits. This expansion comes as many other employers face rising healthcare costs, leading them to increase premiums or reduce coverage.

In addition to prescription drug coverage, Walmart is introducing new benefits including up to 12 weeks of paid NICU leave for premature infants, 20 free annual therapy sessions, and up to $20,000 for family-building services such as fertility treatments and adoption. The company is also offering specialized care for rare conditions through partnerships with Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic.

Walmart's healthcare premium will see a modest increase of $1.50 per pay period, a smaller rise compared to the previous year. The company stated these changes are based on extensive planning aimed at making meaningful improvements for associates without significantly cutting benefits or raising costs.