UnitedHealth Group, one of the most powerful forces in American health care, was rocked on Tuesday, May 14, by the sudden resignation of its chief executive officer, Andrew Witty. The company cited “personal reasons” for his departure and announced that Stephen Hemsley, current executive chairman and former CEO, will step back into the top role effective immediately.
Financial Outlook Withdrawn Amid Cost Concerns
In addition to the leadership change, UnitedHealth Group withdrew its financial forecast for the remainder of 2025, citing unexpectedly high medical costs. The company stated that it anticipates a return to growth in 2026. Following the announcement, UnitedHealth Group’s stock fell by more than 17 percent. This adds to a broader downward trend that began in April after the company reported quarterly earnings below market expectations, resulting in a near 50 percent decline in stock value over the past month.
Recent Events Affecting the Company
The company has recently experienced multiple high-profile challenges. In December 2024, Brian Thompson, then CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed in Manhattan. The suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested five days later and has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Authorities stated that Mangione was not a customer of UnitedHealthcare and had been carrying a written statement criticizing the health care industry at the time of his arrest.
Following the incident, Tim Noel, a longtime employee of UnitedHealthcare, was appointed as Thompson’s successor in January 2025.
The company has also been the target of a cyberattack affecting its payment systems.
Leadership and Background
Andrew Witty joined UnitedHealth Group as CEO in 2021. Before that, he was the chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline and served as chancellor of the University of Nottingham from 2013 to 2017. In a published opinion article after Thompson’s death, Witty acknowledged issues within the health care system and affirmed UnitedHealth Group’s mission to improve it.
UnitedHealth Group operates across multiple sectors of the U.S. health care system. Its primary businesses include UnitedHealthcare, the health insurance arm, and Optum, which manages a large network of physicians, clinics, and pharmacy services. In late 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice and four Democratic attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit against the company to prevent its planned $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, a home health care provider.
In Summary
Andrew Witty’s resignation marks a significant leadership change at UnitedHealth Group during a period of financial uncertainty and organizational challenges. With Stephen Hemsley reassuming the CEO role, the company faces ongoing scrutiny and strategic decisions in a complex health care landscape.
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