KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) has announced plans to lay off nearly 100 people and eliminate dozens of already vacant positions.

Dalya Qualls White, BCBST’s SVP and CCO, said in a statement that the company has seen a sharp rise in claims costs. It’s a trend she said started in the second half of 2024 and has only gotten more challenging.

“We no longer see this as a temporary shift, and we have to reduce our staffing levels to meet the challenges ahead,” White said.

White said around 95 BCBST employees learned their positions were being terminated on Friday. Additionally, another 28 vacant positions that “are no longer essential” to operations were also eliminated.

BCBST is providing several weeks’ notice, generous severance and job search assist

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