Listen to this articleUnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum plans to lay off 572 workers in New Jersey early next year.
In a filing with the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the Minnesota-based company reported that the cuts will take effect between February and March 2026.
The upcoming workforce reductions come as Optum reportedly prepares to shut down dozens of medical clinics across the state by Nov. 30.
The closures impact primary care and pediatric offices, as well as specialty practices in the areas of gastroenterology, podiatry, chiropractic, dermatology, endocrinology, orthopedics, pulmonology and behavioral health, JerseyShoreOnline.com reported.
In a statement to NJBIZ, an Optum spokesperson said the company is consolidating operations as part of “our commitment to making health care more affordable.” They also said the company routinely reviews services, footprint and staffing levels in response to market changes.
Optum did not specify the total number of affected sites or patients.
“We are supporting affected team members with job placement resources and will redeploy our talent to suitable open roles within the company. And we are providing clear information and support to our patients to ensure uninterrupted care,” the media rep said.
One of the largest physician employers in the U.S., Optum oversees more than 90,000 affiliated doctors and over 2,700 sites of care nationwide. Within New Jersey, it has over 360 clinics and 2,100 providers.
Patch noted the company has taken over numerous medical practices across the state in recent years.
Earlier this year, UnitedHealth kicked off a restructuring effort aimed at reducing costs and improving operational efficiency. Once a major profit engine for UnitedHealth, Optum has been under margin pressure due to rising costs, regulatory shifts and operational challenges.
