UnitedHealth Group cuts 115 jobs in Optum unit

The headquarters of UnitedHealth Group Inc. in MInnetonka, Minnesota./ AP

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is laying off 115 employees in Avon Lake, Ohio, within its Optum Inc. business, which provides health information and technology services.

In accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the health care company notified the state in an Aug. 1 letter of the elimination of the positions in its Avon Lake location. The eliminations are "expected to be permanent."

Fifty-six of the affected employees were fulfillment pharmacy clerks or lead fulfillment pharmacy clerks. Other eliminated positions include administrative assistant, supervisors, account receivable clerks and service/access coordinator.

"We do not make these decisions lightly," the letter stated. "The company is offering severance as well as career outplacement services to all affected employees."

All affected employees who are not represented by a union are expected to be separated by Oct. 3.

Company officials did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Lydia Coutre writes for Crain's Cleveland Business, a sister publication of Business Insurance