UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty announced his resignation Tuesday, citing personal reasons, as the nation’s largest health insurer grapples with rising medical costs , leadership turmoil, and the lingering shock of a high-profile executive’s murder.
The company also suspended its 2025 financial outlook, pointing to unexpectedly high costs related to Medicare Advantage plans . Shares dropped another 8% in premarket trading and are down 38% since December 4, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally ambushed in Midtown Manhattan.
Chairman Stephen Hemsley, who previously served as CEO from 2006 to 2017, will return to the top role effective immediately. Witty will stay on temporarily as a senior adviser to support the leadership transition.
“Leading the people of UnitedHealth Group has been a tremendous honor as they work every day to improve the health system, and they will continue to inspire me,” Witty said in a statement.
The move comes just weeks after UnitedHealth cut its 2025 forecast following its first quarterly earnings miss in more than a decade. The company said Tuesday that a major driver of uncertainty was higher-than-expected medical costs among new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 8 million of these members—older adults covered by privately managed plans.
Adding to the turmoil, the company continues to face scrutiny from the murder investigation surrounding Brian Thompson. Last month, Luigi Mangione was indicted on a federal murder charge for the killing. The case has drawn intense media coverage and investor anxiety.
UnitedHealth Group covers more than 50 million people across its insurance, pharmacy benefit, and care delivery businesses, including the fast-growing Optum segment.
The return of Hemsley is seen as a stabilizing move, but questions remain about how UnitedHealth will manage the triple blow of executive turnover, reputational damage, and financial uncertainty.
The company also suspended its 2025 financial outlook, pointing to unexpectedly high costs related to Medicare Advantage plans . Shares dropped another 8% in premarket trading and are down 38% since December 4, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally ambushed in Midtown Manhattan.
Chairman Stephen Hemsley, who previously served as CEO from 2006 to 2017, will return to the top role effective immediately. Witty will stay on temporarily as a senior adviser to support the leadership transition.
“Leading the people of UnitedHealth Group has been a tremendous honor as they work every day to improve the health system, and they will continue to inspire me,” Witty said in a statement.
The move comes just weeks after UnitedHealth cut its 2025 forecast following its first quarterly earnings miss in more than a decade. The company said Tuesday that a major driver of uncertainty was higher-than-expected medical costs among new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 8 million of these members—older adults covered by privately managed plans.
Adding to the turmoil, the company continues to face scrutiny from the murder investigation surrounding Brian Thompson. Last month, Luigi Mangione was indicted on a federal murder charge for the killing. The case has drawn intense media coverage and investor anxiety.
UnitedHealth Group covers more than 50 million people across its insurance, pharmacy benefit, and care delivery businesses, including the fast-growing Optum segment.
The return of Hemsley is seen as a stabilizing move, but questions remain about how UnitedHealth will manage the triple blow of executive turnover, reputational damage, and financial uncertainty.
You may also like
Love Island's Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman confirm 'mutual' split after winning show
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta praises Indian military's firm stance against cross-border threats
Tripura CM warns against offensive, misleading posts on social media
Amit Shah reviews new criminal law implementation in Puducherry, stresses use of Tamil in FIRs
Punjab Police conducts demolition drive at illegal property of drug peddler in Ferozepur
