On Tuesday, UnitedHealth Group announced that Stephen Hemsley is resuming his role as chairman and taking over as CEO from Andrew Witty.
Witty has stepped down, citing “personal reasons,” and he has previously held the CEO position since 2017. Hemsley praised his time at UnitedHealth, particularly during a challenging period, but details surrounding Witty’s exit remain unclear.
In December, UnitedHealthcare faced a crisis when Brian Thompson, head of the insurance division, was shot outside a hotel in Manhattan. A 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, Luigi Mangione, has been accused of the murder and has pleaded not guilty to federal charges; his trial is scheduled for 2026.
Following Thompson’s death, Tim Noel, who was leading the Medicare and Retirement Business, took over the insurance unit. The incident ignited a nationwide discussion about the frustrations many Americans feel regarding the healthcare system.
Hemsley expressed optimism about the company’s potential for growth, focusing on improving healthcare services and aiming to achieve a long-term growth target of 13% to 16%. However, they have put their 2025 outlook on hold as care activities ramp up and they expand their benefits portfolio.
Despite challenges, Hemsley noted that healthcare costs for new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are higher than anticipated. Still, there are expectations for a return to growth by 2026. Hemsley will continue as board chairman, while Witty will take on a senior advisory role.
Hemsley has been with the company since 1997, initially serving as Chief Operating Officer and then becoming president two years later. He assumed the role of board chair in 2017.
