JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The parent company of Florida Blue said it is cutting its workforce by 3%.
Citing “complex challenges” in the health care industry, GuideWell said in a statement that the job cuts are spread across 29 states.
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GuideWell did not state the specific number of employees impacted, but its website said that it has 18,000 employees in 45 states, so 3% of that number is about 540.
Action News Jax told you in October when Florida Blue agreed to a multi-year deal with Baptist Health to ensure policyholders wouldn’t lose access to one of the city’s largest health care providers.
That deal was not mentioned by GuideWell as a reason for the job cuts, but the company’s statement did cite “rising medical costs.”
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Here is the full statement that a Florida Blue spokesperson shared with Action News Jax:
“GuideWell is committed to providing access to quality health care as affordably as possible for its customers, and to adapting to changing market conditions as part of our continuous focus on operational effectiveness and efficiency.
“Navigating the current industry climate requires making thoughtful decisions, including the action we took this week to streamline our organization and reduce our total workforce by approximately 3%. These impacts are spread across 29 states. While we’re not commenting on specific numbers, we are supporting those individuals and our organization through this transition.
“The health care industry is facing complex challenges, including competitive market conditions, regulatory changes, and rising medical costs. We are driving necessary innovation and transformation to keep health care costs under control, advance operational excellence, and make improvements in care for our members.
“GuideWell and its Florida Blue subsidiary are mission driven, financially strong, and well-positioned for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
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