UnityPoint Health is moving forward with changes brought on by “sustained financial pressure” that will result in cutting at least several hundred jobs across the healthcare network, according to a news release from UnityPoint made available Wednesday afternoon, July 8.
UnityPoint has several health facilities in the area, including in Rock Island, Moline, Bettendorf and Muscatine, Iowa.
“These changes are part of previously announced efforts to optimize certain support functions, strengthen long-term financial sustainability, and ensure continued access to local, high-quality patient care. As a community-based, not-for-profit health system, resources generated through these efforts will be reinvested in patient care, team members, and the communities UPH serves,” according to the news release.
All UnityPoint “revenue cycle” team members were notified of the workforce changes on Tuesday, July 7.
“We anticipate that the eliminated roles represent less than 1% of UnityPoint Health’s total workforce and affect non-patient-facing roles. Patient care and clinical operations will not be impacted by these changes,” the release said.
UnityPoint Health employs approximately 31,000 team members across its system. The network recently underwent a workforce restructuring, outsourcing more than 200 information technology and revenue cycle roles to Accenture and Omega Healthcare to manage sustained financial pressures.
All impacted team members will be provided with severance, benefits continuation and career transition support. Leaders are working directly with impacted individuals to ensure clear communication and a respectful transition process, UnityPoint said.
The release added: “Like many health systems across the country, we are navigating a period of sustained financial pressure that requires us to make difficult but necessary decisions. The decision reflects our organization’s commitment to improving efficiency and experience without impacting patient care. We intentionally structured the transition to minimize any patient disruption, and UPH patients will continue to receive support when navigating billing questions, financial assistance programs, and payment options.”
UnityPoint Health is one of the nation’s most integrated health systems, providing care to both metropolitan and rural communities across the Midwest. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, UnityPoint Health owns or operates more than 400 physician clinics, 18 regional and 17 community network hospitals, community mental health centers, urgent care/express care locations and home care facilities across our states.
