Thompson graduated as valedictorian from South Hamilton High School in 1993 and then attended the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Paulette. He worked at accounting firm PwC in Minneapolis, then at UnitedHealth in 2004 as director of corporate development, quickly climbing the corporate ladder.
Thompson hosts an annual golf fundraiser for the United Healthcare Children's Foundation and was named honorary co-chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The Maple Grove resident was described as a “regular guy” and “grandstand dad” at his two sons' sporting events. He was looking forward to going to Timberwolves basketball games with his oldest son last season before heading off to college.
It is unclear why Mr. Thompson was targeted for assassination. UnitedHealthcare is more familiar to the public as a provider of health insurance than its parent company, a medical conglomerate led by CEO Andrew Whitty. Mangione was reportedly suffering from severe back pain, sparking speculation that he had a personal history of health insurance problems, but the company said Thursday that Mangione would not be eligible for UnitedHealthcare insurance. It was revealed that he had not joined.
Under Mr. Thompson's leadership, UnitedHealthcare's operating income has fallen from $12 billion in 2021 to 2023 amid accusations that the company used excessive use of denials and prior authorizations to limit spending on health care. It increased to $16 billion. a Report by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee Last October, it accused health insurers including United Healthcare of denying pre-authorization applications for expensive post-acute care at far higher rates than other applications.
UnitedHealthcare is the market leader in selling Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans are privatized versions of government programs for seniors that are now a greater source of coverage than original Medicare. Supporters and critics debate whether these plans save federal taxpayers money or exploit cracks in the government system to maximize profits. Colleagues said UnitedHealth's presence in the market has grown significantly under Thompson's leadership.
Mr. Thompson was in charge of the insurer's entry into Minnesota's Medicare Advantage market at a time when the federal government was forcing other insurers to shut down popular “Medicare cost” plans. Ta. The number of Minnesota seniors enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Advantage plans jumped from 8,600 in 2019 to 100,000 this fall, according to an analysis of federal data. Several of its plans have earned above-average or excellent federal ratings for quality.
