UnitedHealth Group Sees Leadership Change as CEO Andrew Witty Steps Down

Last updated May 13, 2025

UnitedHealth Group Brings Back Stephen Hemsley as Chairman and CEO

The healthcare conglomerate UnitedHealth Group announced the return of Stephen Hemsley as Chairman, taking over from CEO Andrew Witty.

CEO Resignation and Successor

Witty is stepping down due to personal reasons with immediate effect, UnitedHealth informed. Hemsley was the company’s chief executive from 2006 to 2017. The details regarding Witty’s sudden departure were not disclosed but Hemsley’s leadership during the most challenging times was acknowledged by the organization.

For more on this topic, check out How UnitedHealthcare Responded to the Shocking Murder of their CEO.

Tragic Incident Leads to Leadership Change

In December, UnitedHealth’s insurance arm’s head, Brian Thompson, was tragically shot dead outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan. The accused, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the killing. The trial is expected to commence in 2026.

Interim Leadership and Impact on Health Care System

Tim Noel, formerly the CEO of UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare and retirement business, filled the leadership gap post-Thompson’s death. This incident ignited a national conversation about the U.S. health care system and Americans’ deep-seated frustrations with its current operations.

Learn more about UnitedHealth Group’s Recovery Strategy Post-CEO Murder.

Looking Forward: UnitedHealth’s Growth Prospects

Hemsley is optimistic about the company’s tremendous opportunities to grow and improve health care, aiming to return to its long-term growth objective of 13% to 16%. However, the company also suspended its 2025 outlook as care activity continued to accelerate, expanding to more types of benefit offerings compared to the first quarter.

Financial Outlook

The company also noted that the medical costs of many Medicare Advantage beneficiaries new to UnitedHealthcare remained higher than expected. Despite these challenges, the company is hopeful of a return to growth in 2026.

Hemsley will continue to serve as the chairman of the board, and Witty will act as a senior adviser to Hemsley. Hemsley’s association with the company dates back to 1997 when he joined as the chief operating officer, later becoming president in 1999 and board chair in 2017.