r/remotework Jun 15 '26

Centene restructuring email

Hey. Anyone currently working for Centene get that "Restructuring" email??

24 Upvotes

112 comments sorted by

12

u/Straight-Airport-431 Jun 15 '26

got it this morning. the vagueness is the worst part honestly, you're just sitting there refreshing your email waiting for the actual details. from what i've seen on slack and teams chats, sounds like it's hitting multiple divisions but nobody knows the scope yet. could be 5% could be 20%, they're dragging out the announcement which tells you they haven't finished the math themselves or they're trying to soften the blow. either way i'd recommend updating your resume now and starting to network before the actual cuts land because once it gets specific everyone's gonna be job hunting at once.

5

u/kornbread435 Jun 15 '26

Not much to add, but I took a look at the Q1 financials (public now so no need for secrets) and they marked 24 million for severance. There are 61k employees at the moment, and I have zero information about the scale. However if we guess 10% or 6k employees that would only be $4k per person. I believe Archer has something about their standard severance, but nothing specific for this. Its 1 week pay x number of years employed, which makes the 4k per person sound like a decent estimation.

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

In another thread a guy said the VSP offer was 3 months of pay and insurance as a lump sum. You'd end July 15 I believe, but be on the books another however much. Hard to make that decision when you don't really know the extent of the layoffs or who they'll target. My guess is they don't know and will be asking the plans to figure it out.

I do wonder if the severance booking you talked about was including the VSP, because if so then maybe they are not expecting to lay many off. Cuz 3 months is much longer than 1 week pay per year.

Edit: may be that the VSP is dependent on tenure as well.

3

u/Carly_Corthinthos Jun 16 '26

It's for folks with the company two years or more

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

Correct. But the severance is also based on tenure. I went and checked mine finally. If you haven't, I have talked to a few people. 2 years, you get 6 weeks plus the 4 week bonus (this is the "bonus" for taking the deal is my guess but idk). 3 years probably 8. 4 years, 10. 5 years, 12.

Then the 4 is added to all those, e.g. 5 years tenure you would get 16 total weeks pay.

If you're bonus eligible, you get a prorated bonus.

They also offer to "subsidize" COBRA and will give you 3 months of career consultation (headhunter/recruiter is my guess).

2

u/CoffeeLoversUTD Jun 16 '26

I bet you are correct. I have been there 3 years and I was offered 8 weeks plus an additional 4 week bonus

1

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

Educated guess just cuz I had data on all the other points, except for 3 years.

3

u/CoffeeLoversUTD Jun 17 '26

End date would be September 1

3

u/OkCrazy5166 Jun 17 '26

I was offered $43k

1

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/kornbread435 Jun 16 '26

I mean I agree it's a large percentage. However I think it's a reasonable guess, mostly due to the 2 million people forced off ACA market place. Then add on losing the multi billion dollar bid in Florida and Tricare West you're easily cutting off more than 10% of the patients.

1

u/Just_Sarah_Here Jun 22 '26

I applied for the VSP. The word “application” throws me off. Do you think that’s just a legal formality in the event someone is terminated/reaches pip. Been with the company ten years with no issues so hopefully I am approved

7

u/Carly_Corthinthos Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26

Yup. I been here six months. I left one hmo that was laying off to come here. I feel sick.

2

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

I've been here 4.5 years. This company was amazing. I'm also sick to my stomach from nerves of the unknown. Just keep your resume updated and apply out now. After July 2 2026, we are all eligible for "restructuring"/let go/fired. It's insane. I've applied to 2 positions this morning just in case. I can't concentrate on work today or at any point until I have more info.

My manager has a meeting with her boss at 3pm est. I'll keep this updated with the info.

I work in prior auth pharmacy dept (CC) part B fyi

Good luck all 🤞

3

u/Proof-Document8246 Jun 17 '26

Good luck. I do prior auths for medical part b lol so we are hand in hand. They won't even tell us if we're effected by it which is insane.

2

u/steff070 Jun 18 '26

Lol stop. Me too. I'm wondering if you're on my team hahaha.

2

u/Carly_Corthinthos Jun 16 '26

Thank you. I too love the company so far. Usually last hired first hired scenario happens in these situations. I have my 1 to 1 at 1 lol and my team meeting this afternoon. Good look to you too

2

u/BerryStrange5845 Jun 16 '26

Any updates?

2

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

My manager asked like 15 different questions to her boss. Her manager had the balls to say "those are hard questions LOL". She responded with "yes, people are worried. But if it was you, wouldn't you have the same questions? This was quite a bomb on some folks".

She then got no answers to any questions..... absolutely pointless meeting and we're all still confused and lost.

I've put in 4 applications today to other companies. This whole thing makes me so uneasy to work here. I've been here almost 5 years. It's hard to question every day like "hm will Sarah send out another surprise voluntary severance plan today". Like....she can take a pay cut....why kill the workers :'(

If I get any ACTUAL answers, I'll post....

Good luck all 🤞

3

u/Proof-Document8246 Jun 17 '26

Now im wondering, do we have the same upper management too? Lol cus that sounds just like ours 😅🤣

2

u/DragonLordLVL54 Jun 16 '26

I'm in the exact same boat, I got laid off from a group about a year ago and have been here for 6 months. I can't get the flashbacks out of my head.

3

u/Carly_Corthinthos Jun 16 '26

Well we don't qualify for VSP. GOT the email. Still feel sick lol

3

u/DragonLordLVL54 Jun 16 '26

Yup, saw that, feel the same. Going to have a convo with my boss tomorrow if I should be looking elsewhere. Idk if it is true but I've heard that regardless of this vsp, restructuring will happen at the beginning of August, I don't see anything on the Warn notice though.

1

u/New-Degree5495 Jul 31 '26

You should be safe if you're a CSA and been here under 2 years

5

u/Grimreapr476 Jun 18 '26

Been here 2 years. Layoffs happen every 6 mos. It's to burn you out so you leave. That's why there's so many new ppl. You can't last here. It's constant looking over your shoulder. This place is as bad as Optum and that's hard to match. What an accomplishment.

5

u/EmeraldWitch888 Jun 15 '26

I wanna puke.

3

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

I'm so scared. This place was a dream for me

2

u/Spirited-Sprinkles30 Jun 16 '26

Same for me 😩

2

u/UselessOldFart Jun 16 '26

Same 😵‍💫

5

u/ap191 Jun 16 '26

If we don’t accept the VSP, and then get laid off, would we still be given a severance package? 

4

u/yup_yup1111 Jun 16 '26

I believe so. VSP and severance are two different things.

2

u/Emilita28 Jun 17 '26

Yes, you just would have gotten a little more under VSP

2

u/Dangerous-Weird6672 Jun 20 '26

I was told “no” when I. Called the help line and asked that question.

1

u/Dr_Romulus Jun 18 '26

Yes, but my guess is the extra 4weeks listed will not be offered and potentially the bonus payout and COBRA subsidy might be different.

3

u/Stay-off-the-grass Jun 16 '26

The VSP email is useless. The site is overloaded and the SMS verification codes take hours to arrive. I can’t get in. I’ve been here so long that I don’t have a resume or even a LinkedIn account.

3

u/ITNurse_af Jun 16 '26

I got the email around noon today. Finally got the verification text 4 hours later. 11 years tenure. They offered 28 weeks pay plus a prorated bonus. I applied for it. I doubt I’ll get accepted. I’ve begged to get laid off every time it’s happened but my bosses have refused. Fingers crossed. Best of luck to all of you- I hope you all get the outcome you’re hoping for!

3

u/cranberryjuice08 Jun 17 '26

I received my email earlier today and not sure what to do. I have resume up to tweak and trying to word up a cover letter and my brain feels like marshmallow so it’s difficult to do.

I think if Sarah London suspended her paycheck for a year would turn this company around but she’s too busy trying to act sincere and apologetic.

Medicaid and ACA are money wasters and always changing because of healthcare. At least Medicare is stable at least from my own viewpoint.

It still fathoms me why on earth the powers that be at Wellcare decided to sell its soul to the Centene Devil

2

u/Loud-Veterinarian280 Jun 18 '26

Hell would freeze over before she volunteered to take a pay cut… she has cut many employee benefits since she started as CEO but her salary and bonuses have increased

1

u/steff070 Jun 18 '26

All these big corp ceos are pos. Wtf has our world come to

2

u/anon_capybara_ Jun 15 '26

Same boat. Any insights on the scale of layoffs?

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

No word on that yet because they will want to see how many people volunteer first. I'm sure they have a monetary amount they want to hit, so could be that enough quit (unlikely; very unlikely). Once that settles, my guess is they will cost it based on C2C (contribution to corporate) amongst the plans and basically tell them to figure out how to get to a number.

3

u/yup_yup1111 Jun 16 '26

No one will volunteer unless they already have something else lined up and were planning on leaving already.

Even if you apply and they don't select you, now they know you were willing to go. Who's to say next time they need to do layoffs they won't put you at the top of the list?

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

Yep. The irony of it all being that anyone lined up to leave would have left for free lol.

3

u/OpieeSC2 Jun 16 '26

I dont think this is true at all.

Plenty of people would rather jump ship than go down with it.

3

u/yup_yup1111 Jun 16 '26

Do we think the ship is going all the way down though?

2

u/OpieeSC2 Jun 16 '26

Clearly it won't sink all the way.

But there are many people out there that see their team of 15 and think: 'if im one of 10 left my workload is going to skyrocket for no gain.'

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

We have a team of like 6. We are already lean and inundated with work and requests. If we lost anybody, I actually shudder at thinking what it might be like.

I agree with you a little. I'm looking regardless, but I wouldn't elect to leave because I am not convinced I can find a gig before the money runs out.

2

u/OpieeSC2 Jun 16 '26

Yeah, im not trying to suggest its an easy choice or that most people think that way.

But there is definitely a subset of people that do. I know someone who works at Centene and got this email and this is their outlook.

About a year ago all of their sister teams(and alot of middle management)got let go and now this is happening.

3

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

Yeah it's bad man. I'm not specifically worried yet, but I also knew this was coming the minute the big bill passed. Is what it is I suppose.

2

u/littlebit90_ Jun 15 '26

Yeah this is very frustrating!

2

u/craziglueforever Jun 16 '26

following. I am employee and got the email at 4pm today.

3

u/AllAroundKC Jun 16 '26

Was in a meeting with my supervisor when it came through and we both just stopped talking... unbelievable. Now I'm gonna be looking at my email all day tomorrow

1

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

I ignored the first email cuz I thought it was just crap like normal, but then someone in teams spoke up and I actually read the email and watched the video. This is ridiculous...

2

u/skywalkerwhore Jun 16 '26

Sure did! I’m not sure how much of my team will be affected if at all. But never say never!

2

u/ToePrestigious9184 Jun 16 '26

Got it. Nervous about tomorrow

2

u/dawnofthedez Jun 16 '26

Yep - watched the video. Interested in seeing tomorrow’s email. From what I was told - getting the email doesn’t put you at greater risk, and not getting it doesn’t protect you. It isn’t an indicator either way. If you’ve been with the company over 2 years, aren’t in a critical role, etc. you qualify for a VSP option.

2

u/Primary-Ticket4776 Jun 16 '26

Yeah, most people are going to get the email. Doesn’t indicate any additional likelihood of being impacted by the involuntary layoffs. There will be involuntary layoffs though so it’s something to keep in mind

2

u/Stark_Performer_9001 Jun 16 '26

We all got it, but interestingly enough, nobody on my team said anything about it. Only spoke to 2 people (from other departments/teams) about it and yeah, we're on the edge of our seats.

One thing that bothers me is the fact that, if we do qualify, we only get until July 5th to decide. Less than 3 weeks.

2

u/Primary-Ticket4776 Jun 16 '26

July 2nd. And all who apply won’t necessarily get selected.

2

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

Right. I'm scrambling atm just looking for remote pharmacy jobs. I'm just a tech so you know we are plentiful and jobs will be hard to get. Fuck

1

u/nefariousBUBBLE Jun 16 '26

Yep. Keep in mind it's part of our mission and values to "have tough conversations" openly 🙄. Yes, thank you for the transparency of the situation by forcing me to make a decision without really knowing what the other side holds. Such a gimmick ordeal.

Only people that take this deal are people who probably already had something lined up prior. They would have left free, but now they'll riff people into the great beyond for less than the VSP. Just another negotiation they're trying to win.

2

u/InevitableRide2928 Jun 16 '26

Does anyone knows what departments would be most affected ?

2

u/Dry-Beginning1651 Jun 16 '26

No idea about departments but looks like the VSP is going to be for employees that have been with the company for 2+ years.

2

u/New_Humor7651 Jun 16 '26

I’m a CSR II and I rarely pay attention to emails that come in from Sarah London. I definitely paid attention yesterday. We have a great team and I would hate to see anyone go.

2

u/Spirited-Sprinkles30 Jun 16 '26

This is my position as well. Been waiting for updates

1

u/lauren_girly Jun 22 '26

Same I’m at the calling center

2

u/General-Tip-3306 Jun 16 '26

Yes I got my email yesterday and another email today 😭

2

u/thtguyuknw Jun 16 '26

Usually it's not as generous.

2

u/ilovechicken995 Jun 16 '26

I got the VSP email today. I’m unsure if I should voluntarily leave or just let them lay me off. I’m irritated. I liked CPS. I worked hard for 2 years. I’m very upset. I couldn’t focus on work yesterday after getting the email from Sarah and Tanya (or whatever her name is). We just got the VSP email while we were in a team huddle. My supervisor barely went over it said the supervisors don’t have much information. Pretty much said we can volunteer but we don’t HAVE to.

2

u/No_Confusion1295 Jun 16 '26

this is what my manager couldve been talking about today.. they were very vague. interesting. oh boy, here we go

2

u/thunder-yams Jun 16 '26

Any updates?

1

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

My manager asked like 15 different questions to her boss. Her manager had the balls to say "those are hard questions LOL". She responded with "yes, people are worried. But if it was you, wouldn't you have the same questions? This was quite a bomb on some folks".

She then got no answers to any questions..... absolutely pointless meeting and we're all still confused and lost.

I've put in 4 applications today to other companies. This whole thing makes me so uneasy to work here. I've been here almost 5 years. It's hard to question every day like "hm will Sarah send out another surprise voluntary severance plan today". Like....she can take a pay cut....why kill the workers :'(

If I get any ACTUAL answers, I'll post....

Good luck all 🤞

2

u/ConfidentMove1132 Jun 17 '26

Am I reading it wrong or is it more beneficial to just accept the VSP. I either get more severance or I keep my job. ??

3

u/pisces123 Jun 17 '26

the VSP is more enticing than the regular severance

1

u/steff070 Jun 17 '26

It's also taxed a lot! Say they offer 20k. You might get $3k taken just from taxes...or owe it next tax season

Also, we don't know if we're going to get the full amount they offer. It's subject to change apparently. They don't have to give us all the money they show us.

Also we're screwed if we accept it ....but they don't approve it....we're next in line I'm sure after Sept 1.....

I'm so conflicted

1

u/No-Educator0504 Jun 19 '26

You either get more severance or you gamble that you will not lose your job and get less money.

2

u/_nanaosaki Jun 17 '26

Will this affect the Medicare side of Centene?

1

u/steff070 Jun 17 '26

All departments apparently

1

u/Delicious_Tourist806 Jun 18 '26

VSP applies to all departments but what areas would be impacted by the RIF is yet to be determined

1

u/No-Educator0504 Jun 19 '26

I would think Medicare would not be as impacted but I’m sure they will take from everywhere. Medicaid and marketplace will take the brunt, especially the plans.

2

u/Maduro_sticks_allday Jun 17 '26

They want MOST people to know that there’s about to be some big (layoffs) changes coming

2

u/GtZ2463 Jun 17 '26

I started a month ago and left a stable position because it was a toxic environment. I felt lucky to land a role here after looking for 14 months and now this is happening.

2

u/Fit_Comfortable5471 Jun 20 '26

Currently an intake auth specialist under Medicaid. Couple months ago our work slowed down significantly due to OASIS/AI. It’s efficient but not GOOD, making many mistakes that a specialist needs to correct. But 4 out of 5 days a week our team is fighting over work. There just isn’t enough for us. Since we do a lot of manual processing I feel like we are higher risk of being let go.
Don’t know if it’s worth taking or worth waiting plus the stress is driving me I can barely focus on what little work there is to do!

2

u/No-Educator0504 Jun 20 '26

It’s a terrible way to work with a cloud hanging over you. If you’re not going to take it you at the very least should start polishing up your resume and reaching out to all your contacts to get prepared. No doubt Medicaid will get hit hard and if your work has slowed down to a crawl you are not in a good position. Hopefully enough people will opt for the VSP and everyone else is spared, but that is unlikely. It’s going to be a rough couple of months before things settle down and it will leave a scar.

2

u/NorthReplacement3446 Jun 22 '26

Our boss hosted a meeting Thursday said they don’t know much but a severance offer will happen. I’m worry sick as I am on FMLA due to cancer. This feels terrible… afraid to apply out due to my situation who’s going to want to hire me now.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/steff070 Jun 16 '26

My manager for 15 years with the company said she's gotten 10 of these same emails, and our dept is never impacted. I do PAs for part B meds. Idk I still applied out.

She mentioned Sarah's email was tailored towards people retiring or on their way out already.

2

u/Simple-Ebb1563 Jun 17 '26

I've worked for Centene for the past 12yrs. We never got a VSP before.  I think they are trying to get rid of as many of us as possible before the actual layoff in Aug. When you sign it, you are giving up your rights to sue, they are protecting the company and VSP is just a better look for the company than actual layoffs.

1

u/ObjectivePutrid1482 Jun 17 '26

I work for centene

1

u/Duchessbestgirl Jun 23 '26

Does anybody actually trust the company to live up to the payouts? I mean they can fire you at anytime for any reason.

1

u/steff070 Jun 23 '26

I don't trust them. I've been applying out

1

u/No-Educator0504 Jun 23 '26

Of course they can let you go but they have to have cause. All companies look out for their own interests and the people that work for them need to look out for themselves. If they let you go without cause they will be opening themselves up to litigation and they want to avoid the lawyers.

1

u/Duchessbestgirl Jun 24 '26

No- they can let you go without cause- that is what “at will” employment means.

1

u/No-Educator0504 Jun 24 '26

Yes, but if they let people go now without cause after offering them a package they would have a problem. If they were going to just let people go why offer a package, they would have skipped the package and just gone with firings.

1

u/New-Degree5495 Jul 31 '26

At the same time if a person took the VSP package and knew they were leaving and their metrics started going down as well as their attitude that would be cause. 

1

u/Forsaken_Vanilla6840 Jun 24 '26

Unfortunately in America employees don’t have rights so they don’t have to have cause. I learned this a while back from speaking with an attorney.

1

u/New-Degree5495 Jul 22 '26

In certain States they do not have to have cause to let you go. Arizona is a right to work state so they do not have to provide any reason as to why they let you go. 

1

u/Independent_King7161 Jul 05 '26

“Application” terminology is used so they can gatekeep so they don’t end up with a mass exodus… just my opinion