5 Ways Wal-Mart's Care Clinics Could Be a Disruptive Innovator

News that Wal-Mart WMT was trying out a new type of medical clinic in some of its stores raised questions about the potential impact of discount retail health care at the world’s largest retailer.

Called WalmartCare Clinics, the facilities offer primary care to customers, Wal-Mart associates and their dependents alike.

Labeed Diab, president of Health and Wellness for Wal-Mart said, “Our Walmart Care Clinic pilot is creating a new price position for retail health services that aims to give our associates and customers greater access to quality, affordable health care that will improve their lives.”

Beyond that, Wal-Mart’s clinics could prove to be disruptive to health care in general. Here are five major innovative disruptions Wal-Mart could bring to the health care field, along with two potential changes that could be cause for concern.

Related: Wal-Mart Earnings Preview: Is A Disaster Looming?

Ownership

Forbes pointed out that unlike Wal-Mart’s other retail clinics; the new Walmart Care Clinics are not leased through local hospitals, but “fully owned by the company.”

Primary Care Provider

WalmartCare Clinics differ from other retail health care clinics by virtue of the fact they are primary care facilities.

The goal, for Wal-Mart, is to become the consumer’s new primary care provider, replacing the family doctor.

Longer Hours

WalmartCare Clinics, currently operating only in South Carolina and Texas, are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

While primary care physician office hours can vary, most tend to be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only.

Related: Wal-Mart's New 'Savings Catcher' Automates Price Comparison

Lower Cost

For Walmart customers, the cost of a clinic visit is only $40, well below the cost of a typical office visit with a traditional primary care provider.

Walmartassociates and dependents on a Walmart health plan can visit a Walmart Care Clinic for just $4.

Ubiquity

Wal-Mart has more than 11,000 retail outlets in 27 countries all over the world. In short, the company is the single largest retailer on the planet.

CVS Caremark CVS, the current leader in retail health care, has more than 800 MinuteClinics in 26 states and the District of Columbia. The potential disruptive effect of Walmart Care Clinics in even half its stores worldwide would be palpable.

A Call for Caution

Robert White, CFO for GoGoHealth.com, a SaaS platform for primary care physicians and their patients, provided Benzinga with his take on Wal-Mart’s health care clinic aspirations.

White, who admitted he was not a fan of discount health care or Wal-Mart, suggested two additional disruptions that could have negative consequences.

Shut Down Competition

Raising the oft-cited charge that Wal-Mart tends to drive off small business competitors, White said, “Despite recent trends in consolidation, the majority of physician practices are small. A large group like Wal-Mart could run these groups out of business.”

Creation of a Medical Monopoly

White also cautioned that a large corporation like Wal-Mart, with such a huge potential number of clinics could, in his words, “Create a full horizontally integrated system where they can drive patients (employees and customers), to their doctors who would prescribe meds from the Walmart store or pharmacy.”

At the time of this writing, Jim Probasco  had no position in any mentioned securities.