WATERTOWN, MASS. — According to news reports, Oct. 20, and the Oct. 19 Securities and Exchange Commission 8-K filing, athenaheath plans to trim its workforce by 9 percent. How that that affects the athenahealth workforce in Belfast remains to be seen, according to an article in the Bangor Daily News. The Boston Business Journal is keeping an eye on the Watertown developments. 

“On October 13, 2017 the Company's board of directors approved a comprehensive plan (the “Plan”) designed to increase strategic focus and improve operational efficiency,” according to the SEC filing. “The Plan results from the Company’s previously announced strategic review on August 1, 2017.  The Plan is expected to generate at least $100 million to $115 million in gross pre-tax expense savings.  In connection with the Plan, the Company is expected to reduce its workforce by approximately 9 percent.”

Athenahealth (NASDAQ: ATHN) has more than 5,000 employees, and its corporate model is to partner with hospital and ambulatory clients, offering medical record, revenue cycle, patient engagement, care coordination, and population health services. Its network includes approximately 106,000 providers, with a total of 102 million patients.

In Belfast, the number of employees working at the former MBNA call center is approximately 900, according to reports.

In the Oct. 19 press release, CEO Jonathan Bush said: “Today, athenahealth benefits from a solid operating foundation. We are the most universally connected healthcare network in the country. The value we offer to our clients is as strong as ever,. At the same time, the market in which we operate is changing. The actions we are announcing today follow a comprehensive review of our operations and cost structure, and are designed to ensure that we are best positioned to drive continued success and profitable growth in this new environment. We are changing the way we work to become a more nimble and efficient organization while directing investments to our greatest return opportunities.”