GNC dives deeper into health care
GNC is expanding its virtual health care service.
The vitamins and supplements retailer is now offering its GNC Health program as a paid nationwide service with three tiers— Basic, Plus and Premier. GNC added the program as a free exclusive benefit to members of the GNC Pro Access loyalty initiative in July 2023.
With a GNC Health membership, individuals and families can schedule free virtual medical board-certified doctors for many common health conditions at no additional cost. In addition to free shipping, more than 400 eligible prescription medications are also included at a $0 copay, plus up to 80% discount on thousands of other medications at retail pharmacies nationwide.
GNC Health supports treatment and care needs such as allergies and asthma, sexual health, skin conditions, cold and flu, physical therapy, and mental health therapy.
Here is a brief overview of each tier of the program.
Basic – GNC Health Basic is an individual membership plan at $34.99 a year that provides unlimited access nationwide, including:
- Free virtual urgent care.
- Free virtual lifestyle care.
- 100+ $0 prescription medications.
Plus – GNC Health Plus is a monthly subscription that includes all the services within the Basic plan, unlimited access nationwide to free virtual primary care and 400+ $0 medications at $9.99 a month for individuals and $29.99 a month for families. Plan includes:
- Free virtual urgent care.
- Free virtual lifestyle care.
- 400+ $0 prescription medications
- Free virtual primary care.
- Family access to up to six immediate family members in the same household.
Premier – GNC Health Premier plan includes all the services within the Basic & Plus plan and free virtual mental health care and free virtual physical therapy care for $39.99 a month for individuals and $59.99 a month for families. Plan includes:
- Free virtual urgent care.
- Free virtual lifestyle care.
- 400+ $0 prescription medications.
- Free virtual primary care.
- Family Access to up to six immediate family members in the same household.
- Free virtual mental health care.
- Free virtual physical therapy care.
Customers who enrolled in GNC Health under GNC PRO access will continue to receive the Basic membership plan offerings, as well as have the option to upgrade to a higher tier.
"We envision GNC Health as a way to broaden our consumer reach and bring people meaningful health and wellness solutions because everyone deserves the opportunity to live well," said Allison Bentley, senior director of strategic programs, GNC Health. "With GNC Health, we're supporting our consumers' health and wellness journeys while keeping our core brand relevant and top-of-mind."
Retailers expand into health care
GNC’s push into health care services comes as pharmacy and other retailers are also increasing their focus on health care. In January 2023, Dollar General began partnering with DocGo Inc., a provider of mobile health and transportation services, to pilot mobile health clinics.
In November 2022, Walgreens’ Village MD unit entered into a deal to buy Summit Health-CityMD. In addition to CityMD urgent care centers, Summit Health operates independent physician-run medical groups. And in September, CVS Health reached an agreement to acquire health care company Signify Health.
Meanwhile, Walmart continues to expand its freestanding health care concept, Walmart Health. Amazon also continues to make inroads in the market.