8 recent payer workforce developments

Some payers are conducting layoffs, while others are looking to the tech sector to find new hires. Here are eight payer workforce developments Becker's has reported since Nov. 11. 

1. UnitedHealth Group's philanthropic arm, the United Health Foundation, said Dec. 1 it is partnering with the American Nurses Foundation on a three-year, $3.1 million program aimed at fighting burnout among nurses. The new program is inspired by a similar program developed for the military and will specifically target nurses of color and those under 35. 
   
   
2. Humana plans to lay off 157 employees at its SeniorBridge facility in Jupiter, Fla., as it prepares to close most of its SeniorBridge locations nationwide. The layoffs include 149 caregivers, six field nurses, one sales executive and one care supervisor.
   
   
3. Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross have their eyes on a new actuarial science degree program at the University of California Riverside. The university's news outlet reported the two companies have inquired about the new program and are potentially interested in future partnerships.
   
   
4. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska has partnered with the state and Bellevue (Neb.) University on a workforce training program for IT employees called Ignite Nebraska. The first class of graduates received six to 12 months of free job training at Bellevue and at BCBS' Omaha campus. 
   
   
5. UnitedHealth Group's Optum is looking to grab top talent as big tech companies conduct massive layoffs.
   
   
6. Bright Health Group will lay off 99 employees at its Bloomington, Minn., headquarters, as the company faces a year of challenges, including the end of its group and individual ACA business and its Medicare Advantage offerings in every state except California. The affected employees will have jobs until Jan. 7, 2023, according to WARN Act filings. 
   
   
7. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is planning to be carbon neutral and waste-free by 2030.
   
   
8. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has received a laundry list of accolades for employee satisfaction and diversity, equity and inclusion. Ron Harris, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, and Roy Vaughn, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, sat down with Becker's to explain how they've built the payer's workplace culture.