Talk Of The Region: May

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By Art Garcia

Sam's Club Offers Healthcare Discounts to Small Businesses

Through its Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart is offering members discount healthcare coverage to help them live longer.
    Sam’s says it can save members as much as 50 percent on health services normally not covered by medical insurance, from dental to vision care, including laser-eye surgery.
    “We’ve had a tremendous response. It’s been overwhelming,” reports Jolanda Stewart, director of public and media relations at the Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. The company’s policy prevents revealing actual numbers.
    The program, launched in early March, is offered in partnership with HealthAllies, a division of UnitedHealth Group Inc. It’s available through all 552 Sam’s Clubs in the United States. The healthcare coverage is not available through Wal-Mart.
    “Sam’s is geared towards small -business owners and because of the affordability issue, health insurance is the No. 1 priority for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” says Stewart. Coverage can also be ordered online.
    Small-group health plans were offered by Sam’s last year in some states. “We’re looking at an additional rollout this year,” she says. Dental and vision coverage has been available in all states for several years.
    What’s next? “We’ve got some things coming down the pike in products and services,” hedges Stewart, “and we’re always exploring options,” she says, adding a final shot: “We have better jewelry than Costco.”

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