GEORGIA — After operating for five years, 51 Walmart Health centers are closing, the company announced Tuesday.

Georgia is home to 17 Walmart Health centers. Other locations are in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Texas.

Walmart cited increasing operating costs and a "challenging reimbursement environment" as the reason for the closure.

"While our mission to help people save money and live better remains, today we are sharing the difficult decision to close Walmart Health and Walmart Health Virtual Care. Through our experience managing Walmart Health centers and Walmart Health Virtual Care, we determined there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue. ... We understand this change affects lives – the patients who receive care, the associates and providers who deliver care and the communities who supported us along the way," the company said in a news release.

It is unknown when each center will officially close.

Walmart Health operates the following Georgia sites:

• 448 W. Belmont Drive, Calhoun
• 1735 S. Highway 27, Carrollton
• 101 Market Place Blvd. SE, Ste. B, Cartersville
• 5448 Whittlesey Blvd., Ste. B, Columbus
• 1436 Dogwood Drive SE, Conyers
• 3615 Charles Hardy Pkwy., Unit 200, Dallas
• 815 Shugart Road, Dalton
• 125 Pavilion Pkwy., Ste. A, Fayetteville
• 4221 Atlanta Hwy., Ste. 101, Loganville
• 6020 Harrison Road, Ste. B, Macon
• 210 Cobb Pkwy. S., Ste. 100, Marietta
• 137 Willow Lane, McDonough
• 2042 W. Spring St., Monroe
• 1025 Bullsboro Drive, Ste. A, Newnan
• 2510 Redmond Circle NW, Rome
• 3245 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Ste. 100, Suwanee
• 6435 Bells Ferry Road, Ste. 110, Woodstock

Walmart's 4,600 pharmacies and 3,000-plus vision centers will remain open, the company said. Immunizations, as well as testing and treatment services and health screenings, are offered at the pharmacies.

Walmart Health workers can transfer to other Walmart or Sam's Club locations and will be paid for 90 days, unless they choose to transfer to another location during the three-month period or leave the company.

Severance benefits will be available for eligible staffers after the 90 days, the company said.

"Today and in the coming days, we are focused on continuity of care for patients and providing impacted associates with respect and assistance as we begin the closing process of the health care centers. The associates and providers have made an incredible difference for their patients and communities, and they are a priority," the company said in the release.

"... Our provider partners will continue to serve existing patients while clinics are open. Through their respective employers, these providers will be paid for 90 days, after which eligible providers will receive transition payments. ... We are deeply grateful to these associates and providers for their caring service to patients in our communities and to the patients who trusted us with their care."