SOUTH PORTLAND – Anthem Inc. is eliminating 70 positions in Maine as part of a cost-cutting move in the company’s eastern region.

Managers began notifying employees one-on-one this week which positions are being eliminated, said spokesman Bill Cohen. He said most of the affected jobs are administrative and managerial positions.

Anthem this year set a goal of reducing administrative costs without negatively affecting its products or customer service, Cohen said.

Anthem is offering severance packages with pay and health benefits, along with outplacement services to help laid-off employees find new jobs, Cohen said. He added that Anthem is also laying off employees in New Hampshire and Connecticut.