Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

... Cisco is dropping some of those smaller / local insurers for a nationwide health plan.

Yes. The gubament wants to destroy that tiny ma and pa MULTINATIONAL Cigna with its $229,750,000,000 in revenue ttm.

I don't blame Cisco in this. Something that hasn't made news yet is that states are passing laws to control the smaller insurance companies. Basically, they are forcing local insurers to provide coverage well beyond what a standard corporate policy would cover.

The states are trying to take over these local-private health plans because the government (i.e., taxpayer)-sponsored plans are failing. Now it's time to make the private health plans fail too.

Not coincidentally IMO, Cisco is dropping some of those smaller / local insurers for a nationwide health plan. It doesn't want all the headaches and expenses for plans controlled by local governments.

Hate if you want, but there is a political element to this and Cisco's hand was forced.

over 1800 views and 50+ likes

Seems this post hit a nerve!

The only thing worse than private healthcare insurance is govt run healthcare.

My VA healthcare is better than my spouse's Cisco healthcare and Cisco's healthcare is considered good compared to a lot of companies, especially the smaller ones.

It is absolutely evil that our healthcare is tied to our employers here

You know how that started, don't you? It was because of govt regulation during WW-II

It is absolutely evil that our healthcare is tied to our employers here. These insurance companies serve shareholders first, companies like Cisco second, and us LAST. Our employers want to cut as much cost as possible and that includes providing you with decent healthcare!!!

The only thing worse than private healthcare insurance is govt run healthcare.

...in places like Germany... If you’re young and single, you’re first out the door.

It would explain why 0 of the top 10 tech companies are from Europe.

…and that’s illegal.
On the other hand, in places like Germany, the layoff places are determined by social factors. If you have a large family, or are an older employee, you’ll rarely be on the list.
If you’re young and single, you’re first out the door. I know, it happened to me years ago when living in Germany. And it was policy and enforced by the works council, and the management told me they were doing it.

Someone , who worked in hr, told me that if a company was going to decide between two people to layoff , one had a large family and the other did not, if they were relatively equal in skill set, they would layoff the person with large family. Because of the extra costs with healthcare. Note, they were not referring specifically to Cisco. They experienced this with other companies, as an hr person.

I've had UHC through Cisco for many years without issue; they've paid >$1M in medical bills for me this year.

Somehow I doubt Cisco paid > $1M, but if they did, you'll be on the next LR list as "too expensive". I was LR'd the year after my spouse had a lot of medical issues going on and we maxed our annual "out of pocket" expense allowance due to having surgery and having to stay in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks--one week in ICU and one week in then general hospital.

How did such a notorious and despicable company win the contract with Cisco?

Easy. They were cheaper than Cigna. And since Cisco is "self-insured" and ultimately pays all our medical bills--the premiums we pay are just to cover UHC's costs of administering the plan and also make a profit off of Cisco--having UHC deny more claims than Cigna does saves Cisco even more money.

Don't forget to bring a stick to bite down on during your surgery now that anesthesia has been declared to be too expensive.

United Health Group CEO Andrew Witty threw petrol on Cisco's fire with his asinine comment about "unnecessary care" !!!

Why did Cisco throw employees under the bus?

This is a PR nightmare

"we've LR'd your friends and critical SMEs, we are forcing mandatory, nonsensical AI training down your throats, we got rid of Paid Time Off and now we are swapping your health insurance provider with literally the most toxic company on the face of the planet right now. A company so toxic that PEOPLE ARE PRAISING the CEO's demise because they are notorious for systemic denial of care!"

Welcome to the new Cisco:

Layoffs every 6 months
Unlimited PTO scam (try taking time off)
United Healthcare Medical Insurance (dropped CIGNA)
"AI AI AI AI AI AI" nonsense in every product, every meeting.

I've had UHC through Cisco for many years without issue; they've paid >$1M in medical bills for me this year. On the flip side, I get why so many people don't like UHC or other medical insurance companies. The medical system in the US is corrupt and the medical insurance companies play their part in it.

So that’s what Cisco means when they push AI. Dragnet surveillance over your health and wellbeing. They made a deal. Drop their competitor for them to buy more gear. Is that right? Fran, you should be ashamed if this is even remotely true. AI is overrated for what it can do, but it certainly enables mass surveillance. Be aware.

Cisco HR got a kickback from United Health because of the data mining relationship

Just like Cisco sells surveillance systems to dictators.

I love the US, the country and its people. But your healthcare system is despicable.

UHC is horrible and I had them all. Nobody is as bad as they are even tho the are all so horrendous.

Cisco PE here—soon to be former. I had Cigna for nearly 30 years. They’re one of the insurance companies that su-k the least. They’ve done well by me and kept me and my family healthy when I needed them. You’ll never get an insurance company that you’ll actually like.

But that said, I’m very upset that Cisco is taking away my choice and forcing me with UHC, the absolute worst. It’s a factor in my decision to leave the company after the new year. I hope I’m not alone.

Once the ki-ler is identified, it would be a theme for a great movie. Lots to pack in.

Wondering if novelist, John Grisham was able to capture insurance policies of "delay, deny and defend" into his novel yet?

Cigna is just as sleazy. My parents lost thousands from denied claims and no response from Cigna. They prey on people at their weakest and most vulnerable.

Everyone says North Korea or Iran is evil, I'd say the Health Insurance companies ki-l more Americans than North Korea, Russia, or Iran did in 2024.