Stephen J. Hemsley (born June 4, 1952) is an American businessman who is the chair of the board and chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group Inc. In August 2017, UnitedHealth announced that Hemsley would be stepping down after more than a decade as CEO and starting a newly created role of executive chairman of the board. Stephen J. Hemsley returned to his prior post on May 13, 2025, after being reappointed as CEO. A lawsuit was filed against Hemsley, then

UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is an American multinational for-profit company specializing in health insurance and health care services based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Selling insurance products under UnitedHealthcare, and health care ser ...

CEO

Brian Thompson Brian Thompson commonly refers to: * Brian Thompson (businessman) (1974–2024), UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in 2024 * Brian Thompson (actor) (born 1959), American screen actor It may also refer to: Sports * Brian Thompson (footballer, born 1938) ...

, and two other senior executives in May 2024 for alleged fraud and

insider trading Insider trading is the trading of a public company's stock or other securities (such as bonds or stock options) based on material, nonpublic information about the company. In various countries, some kinds of trading based on insider informati ...

due to failing to disclose an antitrust investigation into the company by the

United States Department of Justice The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a United States federal executive departments, federal executive department of the U.S. government that oversees the domestic enforcement of Law of the Unite ...

and by selling stock options before the probe was made public. Data concerning these allegations and notice of its report to the

Securities and Exchange Commission The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government, created in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash of 1929. Its primary purpose is to enforce laws against market m ...

was initially published in the ''

Minnesota Star Tribune ''The Minnesota Star Tribune'', formerly the ''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', is an American daily newspaper based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As of 2023, it is Minnesota's largest newspaper and the seventh-largest in the United States by circula ...

'' in February 2024.

Early life and education

Stephen J. Hemsley was born in 1952. He graduated from

Fordham University Fordham University is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1841, it is named after the Fordham, Bronx, Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx in which its origina ...

in 1974.

Career

Hemsley began his career at Arthur Andersen, where he served as Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer. In 1997, he joined UnitedHealth Group, initially serving in senior financial roles. He became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1999, and in 2006, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding William W. McGuire. Hemsley led the company through significant growth and expansion, including the diversification of its health services and technology capabilities through its Optum subsidiary. Under Hemsley’s leadership, UnitedHealth Group consistently ranked among the top U.S. companies by revenue and became a major force in managed care, data analytics, and pharmacy services. He was widely credited with driving operational efficiency and helping position the company as a dominant player in the evolving U.S. healthcare landscape. In 2017, Hemsley stepped down as CEO and transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of UnitedHealth Group. In the mid-2000s, UnitedHealth Group was investigated for its handling of stock options backdating, a practice that involved altering the grant dates of stock options to benefit recipients. While earlier company-led investigations largely cleared Hemsley of wrongdoing, a 2008 shareholder lawsuit alleged he had a more direct role than previously disclosed. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continued its investigations and ultimately reached settlements in 2008 with the company and its former general counsel. Hemsley was not personally charged or penalized by the SEC in connection with the matter.

Compensation

Business Week ''Bloomberg Businessweek'', previously known as ''BusinessWeek'' (and before that ''Business Week'' and ''The Business Week''), is an American monthly business magazine published 12 times a year. The magazine debuted in New York City in Septembe ...

'' reported his annual salary as $14,518,164. For 2016, his compensation was estimated at $31.3 million, representing a 55.8 percent increase compared to 2015, which was estimated at $14,500,000 by ''FierceHealthcare''. ''

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The co ...

'' magazine ranked him at 269th in its 2009 ''Special Report on CEO Compensation''. According to bizjournals.com the country's highest-paid CEO, Hemsley, made $101.96 million in 2010. In 2011, he was named the highest paid CEO by ''Forbes'' following a large gain in the value of his stock ownership. In late 2011, Hemsley's most recent annual compensation was estimated by ''Forbes'' at $48.8 million. In 2025, following his return as CEO of UnitedHealth Group, Hemsley was awarded a compensation package that included $60 million in stock options, set to vest over three years, along with a base annual salary of $1 million.

Other positions

He is a trustee of the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, and of

Minnesota Public Radio Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a public radio network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, KNOW-FM, News & Information, KSJN, YourClassical MPR and KCMP, The Current, MPR operates a 46-station regional radio network in the upper ...

. He is a member of the

National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America The National Executive Board is the governing body of Scouting America. The role of the board is outlined in the organization’s congressional charter. There are currently 45 board members. The board is led by the National Chair, an elected vo ...

, the organization's governing body.Boy Scouts of America Annual Report 2011

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hemsley, Stephen J. American health care chief executives Living people 1952 births National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America members American chief financial officers University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) people Minnesota Public Radio people American nonprofit executives Gabelli School of Business alumni UnitedHealth Group