AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA (01/03/24)

JANUARY 3, 2024 — 165 EMPLOYEES TARGETED IN CALIFORNIA

The company has announced plans to lay off 165 workers by the end of January 2024, primarily targeting its Oakland office.

According to a company statement, “As a nonprofit health plan, Blue Shield of California is driven by its mission to provide access to quality health care that’s sustainably affordable for all. This includes reducing administrative costs, operating efficiently, and ensuring we have the right talent, skills, and capabilities in place. With that in mind and the economic headwinds we are now facing, we have decided to reduce our staff.”

DECEMBER 8, 2022 — Original post

Oakland, California-based Blue Shield of California, a mutual benefit corporation and health plan serving 4.5 million health plan members and more than 65,000 physicians, has announced the consolidation of office spaces in the state and a reduction in force.

The reduction will impact 373 employees in California.

According to a company statement, "As a nonprofit health plan, Blue Shield of California is driven by its mission to provide access to quality health care that’s sustainably affordable for all. This includes managing administrative costs, operating efficiently, and ensuring we have the right talent, skills, and capabilities in place. In a challenging economy, we have made the tough decision to reduce our staff.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GOHEALTH

Chicago, Illinois-based GoHealth, an online marketplace platform for Medicare plans including Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Medicare Part D, is conducting a major reduction in force.

The reduction will impact 800 employees.

According to a company CEO Vijay Kotte...

"I’m writing to share that today we are taking the difficult, but necessary, step of significantly reducing our agent workforce and support teams. We fully recognize how unsettling this news will be for impacted team members and those of you who will remain on our team after today. Please know that this decision was not made lightly. It was only after an exhaustive analysis of our business needs and extensive consideration that we agreed this was the path forward to secure our long-term future and enable GoHealth to achieve its full potential."

"Finally, upon return of signed HR documents, employees will have the option to retain their company-issued laptops, licensing and carrier appointments, and be released from non-compete limitations – transition support that we hope will facilitate attainment of a new role."

"Our top priority is to act with integrity and facilitate a smooth transition for impacted team members."

"As we move forward, our focus continues to be on quality in all aspects of our business. We will emerge from this change a leaner organization that reflects the highest standards for enrollment and member retention within our agent workforce and marketing investments. You are an important part of our quality commitment and future success, and I’m confident in the resiliency and adaptability of our team."

"There has never been a more worthy time to be focused on improving access to healthcare in America – and with these changes, we will be best positioned to sustainably deliver on that promise."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CARDINAL INNOVATIONS

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Cardinal Innovations, a managed healthcare network specializing in intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health, or substance use disorders (IDD/MH/SUD), has announced the closure of its Charlotte, North Carolina office.

The closure will affect 225 employees in Charlotte, North Carolina with the first layoff of about 175 employees on December 24, 2021, and the remaining employees at phased intervals from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022, when the Mallard Creek office is closed.

According to a company statement, the decision was driven by the company's pending acquisition by Asheville, North Carolina-based Vaya Health. The acquisition is scheduled to close by December 31, 2021.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?