UnitedHealthcare has named Robert Hunter as its new president, tasking him with advancing the company’s modernization efforts. Hunter, who has been with the company for 15 years, previously served as CEO of government programs.
As president, Hunter will focus on creating a more connected healthcare experience for patients, making it easier for them to access care. This effort is part of UnitedHealthcare’s broader goal to streamline and improve its digital services. The company is in the middle of an effort to modernize patients’ digital experience, aiming to create a future where healthcare is more connected, easier to handle, and simpler to understand.
Hunter’s appointment is the latest in a series of leadership changes at UnitedHealth. Last week, the company appointed Jodee Kozlak as its first chief administrative officer, and earlier this month, it promoted Dan Kueter to chief commercial officer. Additionally, the company tapped Brandon Cuevas to take Kueter’s place as CEO of its UnitedHealthcare commercial insurance division.
UnitedHealthcare is currently facing scrutiny from consumers, lawmakers, and a federal watchdog as public trust in insurers declines. The company is also in the midst of a multi-year plan to recover margins in its Medicare Advantage plans, which have become less profitable in recent years. This decline in profitability is largely due to seniors utilizing more care than expected and federal pressures reducing reimbursement.
To protect margins, UnitedHealthcare has exited markets, cut benefits, and renegotiated contracts. As a result, the insurer expects to end the year with up to 1.1 million fewer Medicare Advantage members than last year, but with a more profitable membership base. According to CFO Wayne DeVeydt, UnitedHealth expects to be very competitive in Medicare Advantage next year. The remaining members are less expensive to cover, which will help the company increase its profits.
Tim Noel will remain CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a position he has held since last year. Noel stepped into the role last year following the 2024 killing of Brian Thompson. The company declined to comment on the reasoning behind Hunter’s appointment, which comes as UnitedHealthcare seeks to improve its digital services and recover margins in its Medicare Advantage plans. With these changes, UnitedHealthcare aims to be well-positioned for the future, and the leadership reshuffling is a key part of this effort.