Pearson Government Solutions is cutting as many as 200 jobs at its call center in the East Hills Business Park now that the enrollment period for Medicare Part D program is set to expire May 15.

Pearson, with about 1,800 employees, is the largest private-sector employer in Lawrence. The company handles more than a dozen government contracts in two buildings at East Hills.

The center is one of many Pearson locations nationwide that takes calls through 1-800-MEDICARE, a designated toll-free resource for seniors with questions about Medicare programs.

Last year, Pearson hired 150 temporary employees in Lawrence for the Medicare contract to handle the increased number of inquiries regarding the nationwide prescription-drug program. Another 50 regular full-time employees either were hired or transferred to handle the contract work.

Pearson representatives have been “actively communicating” with the temporary workers since January about the approaching enrollment deadline, after which the number of calls coming in is expected to drop dramatically, said Eileen Rivera, spokeswoman for Pearson Government Solutions. The workers also were informed of the temporary nature of the jobs upon their hiring.

“This didn’t come out of left field,” Rivera said. “This wasn’t a surprise.”

As for the regular, full-time workers, Rivera said, the company is looking to transfer them into jobs on other contracts.

“We’re making every effort we can to place them, and there’s a good chance they all will get placed,” she said.

The job reductions take effect May 16.