WebMD plans to cut its workforce between 4 and 5 percent, according to an 8-K filing. Severance payouts from the layoffs will add a $2.5 million restructuring charge to WebMD’s books in Q4. The company said tech-based operating efficiencies are driving the staff reduction, as well as a push to trim redundancies from previous acquisitions.

The economy has dealt WebMD (NSDQ: WBMD) a number of big blows in recent months: its bid to acquire Quality Health parent MTS for $50 million blew up in November, right after its long-standing plan to merge with its own parent company HLTH Corp got scrapped in October. Then there’s also the increased competition coming from the combined Revolution Health/Waterfront Media.

• WebMD, QualityHealth Parent Cancel $50 Million-Plus Acquisition; Ad Pact, Minority Interest Instead
• HLTH Corp. and WebMD Cancel Merger Agreement, Citing Market Turmoil
• WebMD Buys QualityHealth For Up To $75 Million
• Revolution Health, Waterfront Media Plan Merger To Compete With WebMD