Robert Brown|CVS layoffs: Healthcare giant cutting about 5,000 'non-customer facing positions'

CVS Health is Robert Browneliminating about 5,000 jobs in an effort to reduce costs as it turns its focus to healthcare services, the company said Tuesday.

The cuts represent less than 2% of the company's total workforce, which comprised of roughly 300,000 employees at the end of 2022.

The layoffs will affect "non-customer facing positions," the company said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.

"We do not expect there to be any impact to our customer-facing colleagues in our stores, pharmacies, clinics, or customer services centers," the company said.

The company said those impacted by the layoffs will receive severance pay and benefits, including access to outplacement services.

"Our industry is evolving to adapt to new consumer health needs and expectations. As part of an enterprise initiative to reprioritize our investments around care delivery and technology, we must take difficult steps to reduce expenses," the company said.

CVS has more than 9,000 retail locations and 1,100 walk-in clinics nationwide.

OAK STREET HEALTH:CVS to buy Medicare-focused primary care operator Oak Street Health for $10.6 billion

Cuts come months after Oak Street Health purchase

Earlier this year, the company completed a $10.6 billion deal to buy Oak Street Health, a company that runs primary care centers for lower-to-middle income people with Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the federal government's program for people aged 65 and older.

With the acquisition, CVS Health plans to capitalize on the federal government's interest in cutting costs and improving the health of people in its Medicare program.

“This agreement with CVS Health will accelerate our ability to deliver on our mission and continue improving health outcomes, lowering medical costs, and providing a better patient experience while offering significant value to our shareholders,” Oak Street Health CEO Mike Pykosz said at the the time of the deal.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY