UnitedHealth CEO resigns 'effective immediately' as board chair takes over
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty resigned on Tuesday, stepping down into an advisory role. Taking his place is the company’s current chairman of its board of directors, Stephen J. Hemsley, who previously served as UnitedHealth’s CEO from 2006 to 2017.
The company said the change is "effective immediately."
Hemsley will continue in his role as chairman of UnitedHealth's board of directors despite the promotion, with Witty serving as his senior advisor. The company said personal reasons forced Witty to to step down during what Hemsley called one of the “most challenging times any company has ever faced.”
In accepting the position as CEO, Hemsley thanked Witty for his “stewardship of UnitedHealth Group,” adding that the board has “greatly valued his leadership and compassion as chief executive, and as a director, and wish him and his family the best.” Witty was promoted to CEO of UnitedHealth in 2021, moving from the job of CEO at its subsidiary Optum.
Hemsley first joined the healthcare giant in 1997, becoming company president in 1999.
In announcing the change, UnitedHealth said it expected a “return to growth” in 2026, having missed Q1 earnings for 2025. The lackluster financial report has spurred backlash from investors, a cohort of whom is suing the company, claiming it stuck to a "materially false and misleading" guidance that projected a growth in profits—ignoring the impact the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of its insurance arm, had on the business.
The company has denied claims made in the lawsuit, which contends the company hid some of its “anti-consumer” practices—mainly the denial of medical claims—that drove profits. In announcing Hemsley’s appointment, the company confirmed it “suspended its 2025 outlook,” citing an unexpected rise in medical costs for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.
“UnitedHealth Group has tremendous opportunities to grow as we continue to help improve healthcare and to perform to our potential—and, in so doing, return to our long-term growth objective of 13 to 16 percent,” Hemseley added.
UnitedHealth Group said it will host a conference call with investors on May 13 to discuss future plans as it looks toward 2026.
Its stock sits at $311 per share, down 38% on the year.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.