Walmart 2026 medical rates show low-cost Premier PPO, tobacco surcharges
Walmart’s 2026 rate sheet puts tobacco-free Premier PPO coverage at $38.30 a pay period for one associate, but tobacco use can push medical deductions sharply higher.
Walmart’s 2026 medical rate sheet shows the paycheck impact plainly: a tobacco-free associate paying for the Premier PPO Plan would owe $38.30 per biweekly pay period for associate-only coverage, the lowest cost per pay period among the company’s national plans. The same plan costs $61.30 for associate plus children, $193.50 for associate plus spouse or partner, and $227.00 for associate plus family, giving hourly workers and managers a concrete way to size up what will come out of each check in 2026.
The other national options show how fast premiums can climb. The Saver HSA Plan starts at $42.80 for associate-only coverage, while the Contribution HRA Plan is listed at $108.20 for associate-only coverage. In selected states, the Personalized Wellbeing Copay Plan starts at $57.40 for associate-only coverage. Walmart says tobacco use can add substantial cost across coverage tiers, and associates who do not agree to complete a quit program pay higher rates for medical coverage and certain other benefits.
That matters because the difference between plans is not just about the monthly deduction. It can change how much an associate pays at the doctor’s office over the year. Walmart says the Premier PPO Plan keeps preventive care at 100% in network and uses simple copays, including $35 for primary care and mental health visits. The company says the 2026 name changes were meant to make the options clearer: the former Premier Plan is now the Premier PPO Plan, the former Contribution Plan is now the Contribution HRA Plan, and the former Saver Plan is now the Saver HSA Plan.
Annual Enrollment ran from Oct. 11 to Nov. 7, 2025, and most benefit changes took effect Jan. 1, 2026. Walmart says current PPO or local-plan participants who did not choose a new plan during Annual Enrollment were automatically enrolled in the Premier PPO Plan for 2026. The 2026 Premier PPO Plan summary of benefits covers Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026.
The Personalized Wellbeing Copay Plan is available only in California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia. Walmart says it has no deductibles and includes $0 copays for some virtual primary care, urgent care and mental health visits, along with a human care navigator and an AI-based well-being agent. The Saver HSA Plan adds another budget factor because Walmart contributes $350 for the associate, or $700 for the associate and dependents, into the health savings account. For associates comparing deductions before the next enrollment window, the decision comes down to premium, tobacco status, family size and how much care they expect to use.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
