• Tim Noel has been named the new CEO of UnitedHealthcare, effective immediately.
• Noel succeeds Brian Thompson, who was tragically murdered on December 4 in New York City.
• Luigi Mangione has been charged with Thompson's murder, leading to increased scrutiny of the healthcare system.
• UnitedHealthcare operates as the largest health insurer in the U.S., covering over 50 million people.
• Noel previously led the Medicare and retirement division and has been with the company since 2007.

MINNEAPOLIS — UnitedHealthcare has announced the appointment of Tim Noel as its new chief executive officer, replacing Brian Thompson who was shot and killed in early December 2024. Noel, who has been a part of UnitedHealth Group since 2007, previously served as the head of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare & Retirement division, a critical sector for the organization that serves over 50 million Americans. In a statement released on Thursday, the company lauded Noel's exceptional qualifications, emphasizing his "proven track record and strong commitment to improving how health care works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments, and our other partners." Thompson was fatally shot outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan while on his way to a corporate event. The alleged gunman, Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested after a five-day manhunt and is now facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, and is accused of committing the crime as an act of terrorism. According to court documents, Mangione allegedly left a written statement at the scene criticizing the healthcare industry, which has intensified public discussions surrounding the state of healthcare in the United States. After Thompson's death, UnitedHealthcare faced significant scrutiny and a financial hit—losing approximately $63 billion in market value as company shares dropped significantly. Despite this, the organization reported a better-than-expected profit for the final quarter of 2024, showcasing resilience in the face of crisis. The tragic circumstances surrounding Thompson's murder have prompted many healthcare companies to reassess security protocols for their executives and have raised urgent questions about the broader healthcare landscape in the U.S. UnitedHealth Group operates one of the largest health insurance systems globally, reporting revenues of around $400 billion and net earnings exceeding $15 billion in the last fiscal year. For further details on this development, refer to the original reports by The New York Times, CBS News, and Reuters.