UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty has resigned from his position, citing “personal reasons,” the company announced Tuesday. His departure is effective immediately.
Stephen Hemsley, the company’s current board chairman and former CEO (2006–2017), will step in to lead the healthcare giant once again. Witty, who served as CEO for four years, will remain in a limited role as a senior adviser to Hemsley.
“We are grateful for Andrew’s stewardship of UnitedHealth Group, especially during some of the most challenging times any company has ever faced,” said Hemsley. He praised Witty’s leadership and compassion and extended well wishes to him and his family.
Witty’s tenure included navigating the company through the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year. UnitedHealthcare is a key division under UnitedHealth Group. In the aftermath, Witty acknowledged public criticism of the healthcare system and admitted in a New York Times essay that U.S. health coverage decisions are often misunderstood and need better transparency. He defended UnitedHealthcare but recognized the company’s role in contributing to public confusion around care decisions.
Alongside Witty’s resignation, UnitedHealth also announced it is suspending its financial outlook for the year due to higher-than-expected costs in its Medicare Advantage plans. The company said it expects to return to growth in 2026.
Last month, Witty called UnitedHealth’s recent performance “unusual and unacceptable” during an earnings call. On that day, the company’s stock plummeted over 20%—its worst single-day drop in nearly 30 years. Shares fell nearly 11% in premarket trading following Tuesday’s announcements.
