UnitedHealth Group (UNH) announced a new chief executive officer for its health insurance unit, UnitedHealthcare, Thursday, filling the role after Brian Thompson was shot to death last month in New York City.

The company said Thursday that Tim Noel will be CEO of UnitedHealthcare, replacing Brian Thompson, who was killed in New York City in December.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. promoted the head of its Medicare health plan business to lead the company’s broader insurance division, filling the job previously held by slain executive Brian Thompson.

UnitedHealth reported fourth-quarter results on Thursday that reflected persistent challenges for the health insurance sector.

The health insurance provider has named Tim Noel, the head of its Medicare business, to take over from Brian Thompson.

In his first public comments since one of his executives was shot to death, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said the healthcare system “needs to function better.”

Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 outside a New York City hotel in Midtown as he walked to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting.

UnitedHealth Group will promote one of its top insurance executives to replace Brian Thompson, the slain CEO of its UnitedHealthcare arm. The company said Thursday that Tim Noel will become the next UnitedHealthcare leader.

Timothy Patrick Flynn, a director at UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH), recently purchased 1,000 shares of the company's common stock. The transaction, dated January 17, 2025, was made at a price of $511.

UnitedHealth Group reported $14.4 billion in 2024 profits as its UnitedHealthcare health insurance and Optum provider services overcame rising costs and a cyberattack.

CEO Andrew Witty promised that UnitedHealthcare would work to speed up turnaround times for approval of some procedures and services in Medicare Advantage plans.