UnitedHealth taps insider Tim Noel to replace slain exec Brian Thompson as CEO of insurance unit

UnitedHealth Group on Thursday named Tim Noel, the head of its Medicare business, to the top job at its health insurance business, a month after the unit’s former CEO Brian Thompson was killed.

The brazen killing of Thompson on Dec. 4 ignited a broad conversation about the frustrations of navigating the US healthcare system.

Former CEO Brian Thompson was killed on Dec. 4. AP

UnitedHealthcare is the largest US health insurer that provides benefits to more than 50 million Americans.

The company’s shares rose 1.7% to $528.52.