Walmart to provide free insulin and GLP-1s for employees in 2027

The company confirmed that Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro will be available at no charge for employees diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, provided they complete a new prior authorization process. Notably, the policy excludes these medications when prescribed solely for weight loss, aligning the retailer with a broader trend among large corporations seeking to curb soaring obesity-treatment costs.

Beyond pharmacy benefits, the company is diversifying its medical coverage to include specialist access. Employees enrolled in most plans will gain the ability to seek second opinions for rare conditions, such as ALS, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s, at the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic. Donna Morris, the company’s chief people officer, also announced that parents will receive 12 weeks of dedicated neonatal intensive care unit leave, which functions independently of standard parental and maternity leave packages.

These adjustments arrive shortly before the November 6 open enrollment deadline. While many competitors are cutting benefits or shifting costs to workers, the retailer is keeping premium hikes modest; the starting plan rate will increase by $1.50 per pay period, reaching $39.80. This move follows years of public pressure regarding employee compensation and healthcare access for the company’s 1.6 million U.S. associates.