Capital BlueCross Eliminates Jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross today announced that it has eliminated 182 positions as part of its ongoing effort to increase efficiency and lower its operating costs.

"At Capital BlueCross, we have been doing what all businesses are doing during this uncertain economic time -- we're looking at every way possible to be more efficient, to keep our costs down, and to be even more competitive and strong," said William Lehr, Jr., Capital BlueCross President & CEO. "Advances in technology, particularly, enable us to reduce our costs at Capital BlueCross and its subsidiary companies, while still providing award-winning service.

"It is tremendously painful for this close-knit company to say good-bye to colleagues.  But we are comforted by the certainty that it is necessary to do so, and that it is our obligation to do so.  We owe it to our customers to do everything we possibly can to put downward pressure on their rising premiums.  And we owe it to our company to take the steps we must to be as efficient and competitive as we possibly can be."

Capital BlueCross' ongoing cost-control efforts have included evaluation of how new technologies have improved its efficiencies in various operations, such as claims processing.  This technology has resulted in increased productivity, while gradually decreasing the needed manpower.  Technological advances accounted for many of the job reductions announced today at Capital BlueCross and its subsidiary companies.

At this time, no further layoffs are planned. All affected employees are receiving assistance to help them transition to new job opportunities.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross