Tim Noel appointed new CEO of UnitedHealthcare

Photo courtesy of UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealth Group has named Tim Noel the newest chief executive officer of its insurance business, UnitedHealthcare, with Noel filling the vacancy left by former CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot in New York City in December.

Noel has been with UnitedHealth since 2007, and for much of that time has overseen the portion of the business that includes UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage Plans.

“He brings unparalleled experience to this role with a proven track record and strong commitment to improving how healthcare works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners,”  a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said by statement.

WHAT’S THE IMPACT

The appointment fills the vacancy left by Thompson, whose murder in December grabbed headlines and sent shockwaves through the industry. Thompson was in New York to attend UnitedHealth Group’s annual Investor Conference starting at 8 a.m. UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty came onstage around 9 a.m. to say that the company was “dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members” and would end its live presentation, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Luigi Mangione was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder, and in December a New York grand jury indicted Mangione on charges of first degree murder in furtherance of terrorism.

When he was arrested, police recovered a 9-millimeter handgun with a 3D-printed receiver, two ammunition magazines, multiple live cartridges, a homemade silencer and the fake New Jersey ID used at the hostel at which he was staying.

THE LARGER TREND

Thompson’s murder spurred a five-day manhunt and backlash against UnitedHealthcare and other insurers over claim denials.

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed the public’s frustration and what he called the “vitriol” in an op-ed published in December in the New York Times.

UnitedHealth Group’s 2024 revenues hit $400.3 billion in 2024 – a 6% year-over-year increase –  and full-year earnings from operations were $32.3 billion. CEO Andrew Witty attributed much of this performance to a strong showing from pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.