UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue, was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Former UnitedHealth Group CEO David S. Wichmann led the company from September 2017 to February 2021, overseeing a period of rapid growth that saw annual revenues climb from $201 billion to over $287 billion. A veteran of 23 years at the company, Wichmann rose through the ranks from Senior Vice President of Corporate Development to President and ultimately Chief Executive Officer, guiding UnitedHealth Group’s expansion across both its UnitedHealthcare insurance and Optum health services divisions. Since retiring, Wichmann co-founded Jory Capital and joined the board of Boston Scientific Corporation.

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David Wichmann – Quick Facts

UnitedHealth Group Competitors

UnitedHealth Group is the world’s largest healthcare company by revenue. The key competitors of UnitedHealth Group include:

• Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) – second-largest U.S. health insurer by membership
• CVS Health / Aetna – integrated pharmacy, insurance, and health services
• Cigna Group (Evernorth) – global health services and insurance
• Humana – major Medicare Advantage insurer
• Centene Corporation – largest Medicaid managed care company
• Kaiser Permanente – largest non-profit health plan by enrollment
• Molina Healthcare – government-sponsored managed care
• HCSC (Health Care Service Corporation) – largest mutual health insurer in the U.S.

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David Wichmann Net Worth 2026 – UnitedHealth Group CEO Salary

As of 2026, David Wichmann’s net worth is estimated at approximately $250–300 million USD, based on his substantial UNH stock holdings accumulated during his 23-year tenure at UnitedHealth Group. According to SEC filings, Wichmann holds approximately 904,604 shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH), valued at over $260 million at current prices, along with smaller positions in Boston Scientific (BSX) and Tennant Company (TNC).

During his tenure as CEO from 2017 to 2020, Wichmann realized over $156 million in total compensation. In his final full year (2020), he earned $17.87 million in direct compensation, plus an additional $24.2 million through vesting stock and exercised options, bringing his total realized pay to $42.1 million. In 2021, after retirement, he realized $142.2 million primarily through previously issued equity awards.

David Wichmann CEO Compensation History (2017–2020)

UnitedHealth Group Net Worth 2026 – Is UnitedHealth Profitable?

Yes, UnitedHealth Group is a highly profitable company and the world’s largest healthcare company by revenue. In FY2025, the company generated $447.6 billion in revenue (up 12% year-over-year) and $12.1 billion in net income, though profitability was impacted by $2.8 billion in charges related to the 2024 cyberattack, divestitures, and restructuring activities. As of February 2026, UnitedHealth Group has a market capitalization of approximately $263 billion.

UnitedHealth Group Financial Summary (FY2024–FY2025)

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UnitedHealth Group CEO Email Address | David Wichmann Contact

Below are the contact details and social media profiles for former UnitedHealth Group CEO David Wichmann. Note that the corporate email was active during his tenure as CEO (2017–2021). Wichmann is now reachable through Jory Capital, his post-retirement venture.

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

David Wichmann spent over two decades at UnitedHealth Group, rising from a corporate development role to the very top of the world’s largest healthcare company. Below is his complete career timeline:

David Wichmann Career Timeline

David Wichmann began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co., one of the “Big Five” accounting firms, where he worked for approximately 13 years and ultimately became a partner in 1995. In 1998, he joined UnitedHealth Group as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, overseeing mergers, acquisitions, and strategic initiatives.

Over the next two decades, Wichmann held a series of increasingly senior roles at UnitedHealth Group. He became President and CEO of Specialized Care Services in 2002, then President and COO of UnitedHealthcare in 2004. After leading the Commercial Markets Group (2006–2008), he took charge of Operations and Technology (2008–2014) while simultaneously serving as Chief Financial Officer from 2011 to 2016. He was named President of the entire company in 2014.

(Related: UnitedHealth Group CEO Email & Net Worth – Stephen Hemsley)

In September 2017, Wichmann succeeded Stephen Hemsley as CEO, leading UnitedHealth Group through a period of substantial growth. Under his leadership, the company expanded Optum’s health services businesses significantly and pushed annual revenues past $280 billion. He retired on February 2, 2021, and was succeeded by Andrew Witty.

After retirement, Wichmann joined the board of Boston Scientific Corporation in June 2021 and co-founded Jory Capital in 2022, a private equity fund focused on investing in transformative companies in health and human performance. He also serves on the boards of Tennant Company and UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation.

Education

David Wichmann Wiki – Age, Wife, & More

Former UnitedHealth Group CEO David Wichmann (age ~63, born 1962) lives in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with his wife Anne Wichmann. He is known for being a private individual who has kept his personal and family life largely out of the public eye throughout his career.

Notable Achievements & Board Positions

• UnitedHealth Group CEO (2017–2021) – Led the world’s largest healthcare company, growing revenue from $201B to $287B
• Boston Scientific Director – Elected to the board of the $70B+ medical technology company in June 2021
• Jory Capital Co-Founder – Founded a private equity fund focused on health and human performance in 2022
• Tennant Company Director – Board member of the industrial cleaning solutions company
• UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation – Board member supporting grants for children’s medical expenses
• AcademyHealth – Active participant in health policy research and education
• Arthur Andersen Partner – Achieved partnership at one of the Big Five accounting firms before age 35

Wichmann is also known as an advocate for healthcare innovation and technology transformation. During his tenure, UnitedHealth Group significantly expanded Optum’s data analytics and technology capabilities, positioning the company as both a payer and a technology-driven health services platform.

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About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is an American multinational healthcare and insurance company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded in 1977, it is the world’s largest healthcare company by revenue and a Fortune 5 company. UnitedHealth Group operates through two main business platforms:

UnitedHealth Group trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol UNH. With approximately 400,000 employees and services reaching over 150 million people worldwide, it is one of the most significant companies in the global healthcare industry. The company has been ranked #5 on the Fortune 500 list and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is David Wichmann?

David Scott Wichmann is the former Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealth Group, the world’s largest healthcare company. He served as CEO from September 2017 to February 2021, having previously spent 23 years at the company in various senior leadership roles. Since retiring, he co-founded Jory Capital and serves on the board of Boston Scientific Corporation.

What is David Wichmann’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, David Wichmann’s net worth is estimated at approximately $250–300 million USD, based primarily on his substantial UnitedHealth Group (UNH) stock holdings of approximately 904,604 shares, along with smaller positions in Boston Scientific and Tennant Company.

What was David Wichmann’s salary as UnitedHealth Group CEO?

David Wichmann’s total compensation as UnitedHealth Group CEO ranged from $17.4 million to $21.5 million annually. In his final year (FY2020), he earned $17.87 million in direct compensation, including a $1.4 million base salary, $9.6 million in stock awards, $3.2 million in stock options, and $3.5 million in cash incentives. He realized over $156 million in total compensation from 2017 to 2019.

Who is the current CEO of UnitedHealth Group?

As of February 2026, the current CEO of UnitedHealth Group is Stephen J. Hemsley, who returned to the role in May 2025 after Andrew Witty stepped down for personal reasons. Hemsley previously served as UnitedHealth Group CEO from 2006 to 2017. David Wichmann was succeeded by Andrew Witty in February 2021.

Why did David Wichmann leave UnitedHealth Group?

David Wichmann retired from his position as CEO of UnitedHealth Group effective February 2, 2021. The company described the transition as a planned retirement. As part of his departure, he received a severance package that included two years of base salary and bonus compensation, per his employment agreement filed with the SEC.

What is David Wichmann doing now?

Since leaving UnitedHealth Group, David Wichmann has co-founded Jory Capital (2022), a private equity fund focused on investing in transformative companies in health and human performance. He also serves as a director of Boston Scientific Corporation (since June 2021) and Tennant Company, and remains active in healthcare industry leadership and innovation.

Article last updated:March 2026March 2, 2026