December 9th, 2008

Often one of the last industries to see a downturn in times of a recession, the healthcare business has been suffering lately.  An exception, however, is Highmark Inc.; the large health insurer based in Pittsburgh.

Writes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“…Highmark Inc., has so far escaped the worst effects of the recession, adding jobs at a time when others are subtracting them in record numbers.

The dominant Pittsburgh health insurer, which is seeking a merger with cross-state counterpart Independence Blue Cross, held a job fair in Harrisburg last week, and is planning another for Pittsburgh from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Highmark’s Downtown offices. The company has 300 to 400 job openings, largely in software, business analysis, application testing and data monitoring…”

…

“Ironically, it’s the company’s software and high-tech positions that might be shed if and when the merger with Philadelphia’s IBC takes effect. Last year, when the two companies announced their merger plans, the two CEOs said the new insurer would drop 1,000 jobs from its combined work force, primarily through attrition.”

Read the rest of the Post-Gazette’s report.