MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) today announced that Brian Thompson has been named chief executive officer of its UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual business, effective immediately. Thompson, who has served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s Midwest region since 2017, will succeed Dave Wichmann, who is retiring after more than 40 years with the company.
Thompson brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his new role. During his tenure as CEO of the Midwest region, he led the business to significant growth and profitability while improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. He also played a key role in the development and implementation of UnitedHealthcare’s value-based care initiatives, which have helped to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare for millions of Americans.
Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare, Thompson held various leadership positions at Aetna and Cigna. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.
As CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, Thompson will be responsible for leading the company’s commercial health insurance business, which serves more than 50 million people across the United States. He will also oversee the company’s Medicare and Medicaid businesses.
In his new role, Thompson plans to focus on driving innovation and growth while continuing to improve the customer experience. He is also committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Americans.
Wichmann, who is retiring after a long and distinguished career with UnitedHealth Group, will work closely with Thompson to ensure a smooth transition.
“Brian is a talented leader with a deep understanding of our business and the healthcare industry,” said Wichmann. “I am confident that he will be successful in leading UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual to continued success.”
Thompson said he is excited about the opportunity to lead UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual and build on the company’s strong foundation.
“I am honored to be named CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual,” said Thompson. “I am committed to working with our talented team to continue to deliver innovative, affordable healthcare solutions to our customers.”
The appointment of Brian Thompson as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual is a testament to his leadership abilities and commitment to improving the healthcare system. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of success to his new role, and he is well-positioned to lead the company to continued growth and innovation.
