Sentara Health cuts about 200 positions, citing changes in Medicaid

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Sentara Health is cutting about 200 positions across its workforce, mostly within the Sentara Health Plans department.

The say the decision is due to a significant decline in Medicaid membership across the U.S. and Virginia, which led to Sentara Health Plans losing over 115,000 members, about 16% of Sentara’s Medicaid membership over the past year.

About 200 positions are impacted across all levels, with about 40% being leadership positions, Sentara says.

“These workforce adjustments align our staffing levels with our health plan membership,” Sentara said in a statement on Friday.

Sentara says the impacted positions span 10 states, with a majority of the employees residing in Virginia. They say they’re working to help impacted employees find a new role within Sentara if possible.

“Impacted colleagues are being provided 60 days to continue working or transition to their next role,” Sentara said. “Sentara is making every attempt to find them another role within Sentara, upskill for other in-house positions, or offer severance and resources for those who are unable to find a new position within the Sentara family or who choose to transition elsewhere.”

Sentara says the reduction represents less than 1% of their approximately 34,000-person workforce.

“These individuals have been dedicated and mission-driven team members and we are grateful for their passion and contributions to the organization and to the community,” said Sentara Health President and CEO Dennis Matheis.

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