From Retail to Telehealth: How Healthcare Disruptors are Adapting their Strategies in the Digital Age

Healthcare disruptors are facing the realization that managing healthcare is different from running a shopping mall. Walmart, a major player in retail, recently sold its MeMD virtual care program to Fabric, a telehealth startup. This move follows Walmart’s decision to shut down its virtual care platform and many of its in-store health centers. The trend of disruptors abandoning the retail primary care space is clear, with companies like Walgreens, CVS Health, and Rite Aid also scaling back their healthcare plans.

Fabric, the telehealth startup that acquired MeMD, offers a comprehensive virtual care platform for businesses, payers, and healthcare providers. The acquisition allows Fabric to expand its services and include in-demand behavioral health offerings. The company recently secured $60 million in Series A funding and aims to transform healthcare delivery through technology and patient care.

The acquisition of MeMD by Fabric highlights the challenges of developing a retail primary care model that is both valuable and sustainable. While consumer-facing retail strategies can enhance the healthcare experience, running a healthcare service requires a different approach than managing a retail store. This ongoing struggle underscores the need for innovation and strategic planning in the healthcare industry.

Eric Wicklund, the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders, tracks the ever-changing landscape of healthcare technology and disruption.