Amid plans to conduct layoffs in its benefits operations segment, UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of the managed care firm UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has informed certain employees in the segment to accept buyouts.

UnitedHealth's insurance unit is offering employees in its benefits operations unit the option to accept buyouts if they quit by March 3, CNBC reported on Wednesday.

UnitedHealthcare will resort to laying off staff if a certain number of people do not accept the buyouts, sources told CNBC.

If UnitedHealthcare does not meet a resignation quota through buyouts, it will lay off employees, two people familiar with the matter said.

Health insurer UnitedHealthcare is offering buyouts to certain employees in its benefits operations as it seeks to significantly reduce its workforce, CNBC and other news media reported Thursday. The employees have been given until March 3 to accept the buyout offer,

In a statement to ABC News, a company spokesperson said the "voluntary option is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our team is best positioned to meet the evolving needs of the people and customers we are honored to serve.