Optum Closing Offices, Including In Lacey: See Where

LACEY, NJ — Optum, a health provider owned by UnitedHealth, is set to close dozens of medical offices across New Jersey and lay off as many as 572 workers in the coming months, including in Lacey.

The company began sending letters to patients on Monday informing them of medical practices that will close as of Nov. 30 — including some pediatric and specialty offices, and all of the company's mental health practices statewide.

This includes the pediatrics office located at 34 Manchester Ave., Forked River. Other pediatrics offices will remain open in the state; however, the nearest ones in Toms River and Brick are also closing.

Several Manahawkin offices will be closing as well. See those locations here.

According to four notices filed with the state of New Jersey on Oct. 1 — required in advance of mass layoffs — Optum Care will lay off 390 employees statewide, with most paid through Feb. 2. Separately, Optum Medical Care will lay off 122 employees just in Secaucus by February and March. And Optum Select Services and Optum Management are laying off 60 workers total.

READ MORE: Optum To Lay Off 572 In NJ, Closing Mental Health, Some Pediatrics And Specialty Offices

When asked how many medical offices in New Jersey are closing, and the reasoning behind the cuts, an Optum spokesperson declined to give a number.

She released a statement Monday: "As part of our commitment to making health care more affordable, we regularly review our services, footprint and staffing levels to ensure they meet the needs of the people we serve, our business and evolving market dynamics. We will continue to provide pediatric, primary care, cardiology, rheumatology and urgent care in certain locations across New Jersey. We are providing clear information and support to our patients to ensure uninterrupted care."

Patients who want to request their medical records can visit optum.com/record-request-RIV or email MedicalRecordsRIV@riversidemedgroup.com, they said.

This article contains additional reporting by Caren Lissner.