HENRICO, Va. – Anthem confirmed with CBS 6 that employee layoffs will begin soon and continue through the middle of the year.
Two people laid off by the company reached out to CBS 6, but did not wish to go on camera, and stated that they had no warning of the layoffs. They said they went into work Thursday and were told their position was eliminated, along with “many” other positions. They said they were told that the company is “restructuring.”
“We are committed to improving the way we operate so that we can better serve our customers and position Anthem for future success,” said Scott Golden, Director of Corporate Communication.
Golden said that over the last several months Anthem has been assessing its organizational structures, “to determine how best to align our company for growth and become a more efficient, consumer-focused business.”
“As a result of this deliberate assessment, Anthem anticipates eliminating a number of positions between now and the middle of the year,” he said.
“This is a time of unprecedented and rapid change in our industry,” Golden added. “This change requires Anthem to evolve as an organization.”
Impacted associates may apply for other positions within the company and are eligible for severance benefits, Golden said.
Anthem, Inc. is headquartered in Indianapolis. According to the company, through affiliated health plans they serve a total of 37 million medical members, or one in nine Americans.
Anthem has its second largest market share in Virginia, based on 2014 data.
The insurance giant realized in January that hackers had stolen personal information on 80 million in its databases. Current and former Anthem members dating back to 2004 are being offered identity repair assistance and credit monitoring services via AnthemFacts.com.
The breach is expected to reach beyond $100 million in financial consequences for the company, according to CNET.
