According to BizJournals.com, medicare cuts to the home durable medical equipment and oxygen benefits are the reason for the layoffs, said Lisa Getson, a spokeswoman for Apria Healthcare Group Inc., a privately owned home health care services provider headquartered in Lake Forest, Calif.

The cuts, which were authorized by health care laws passed in 2003, 2005 and 2008, are so severe that companies have no choice but to consolidate certain jobs in fewer locations, she said.

The Tampa area billing jobs are being moved to an Apria facility in Jackson, Tenn., Getson said.

However, 11 workers who perform back-office billing support functions will continue to work at the Tampa office, at 5414 Beaumont Center Blvd. Apria has a lease on the site through 2011 and does not intend to shut down the location at this time, Getson said.

The company also maintains a strong presence in Tampa with three locations and 194 workers who support respiratory/home medical equipment patients and patients who rely on Apria for home infusion therapy. No additional layoffs are planned, Getson said.

Workers being let go were given up to eight months notice. They were given the opportunity to transfer to another Apria location, and if no transfer could occur, they were provided with severance packages, Getson said. They also were provided with retention incentives and career counseling.