UnitedHealth CEO Leads 2024 Payer Compensation with $26.3M Pay

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty led payer executive compensation in 2024 with a total pay package of $26.3 million, marking an increase from $23.5 million in 2023. Most health insurance CEOs saw moderate pay increases, while Elevance Health CEO Gail Boudreaux experienced a slight decrease. Notably, two CEOs, Jim Rechtin of Humana and J. David Joyner of CVS Health, took on their roles partway through the year.

Among the top-paid health insurance leaders in 2024 were executives from UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, Molina Healthcare, Centene, Elevance Health, CVS Health, and Humana. Compensation levels for these leaders significantly exceeded those of median employees, with a reported disparity of up to 370 times.

Elevance Health also commented on Medicare Advantage costs, describing them as elevated but manageable, underscoring ongoing financial considerations within payer operations. These insights into executive compensation and cost management highlight key aspects of financial strategy and leadership within the U.S. health insurance sector.