INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's largest hospital system said Thursday it will cut about 800 jobs and realign some services as part of a nationwide trend by large-scale providers to cut expenses and adapt to changing trends in health care.
The cutbacks at Indiana University Health officials will go into effect by Dec. 1, company officials said at a news conference. Cuts will be felt at seven hospitals, including the system's Indianapolis-area hospitals and those in Muncie and Tipton.
IU Health's website said the 19-hospital system, with facilities throughout the state, has more than 24,000 full-time employees. The system will offer some employees early retirement, and those employees must make their decision by Sept. 22, officials said.
Officials said the system is trying to save $1 billion over five years.
Officials said the cuts, along with a related realignment in how IU Heath delivers services, reflect declining reimbursement rates and decreases in hospital admissions as patients increasingly seek alternative care.
Hospitals, especially emergency rooms, are among the most expensive places to receive care, in part because of staffing a wide array of equipment and remaining open around the clock. With the high cost in mind, insurers and employers have been steering people when possible to alternatives, such as outpatient care centers or home care.
