Insider named as new CEO for UnitedHealthcare insurance business

UnitedHealth Group has named long-time executive Tim Noel as the new chief executive for its massive UnitedHealthcare health insurance business

The announcement Thursday came a little more than seven weeks after the Dec. 4 murder of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was killed in a fatal ambush on a New York City sidewalk.

Noel joined Eden Prairie-based UnitedHealth Group in 2007 and served most recently as CEO for UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, which includes the company’s Medicare Advantage health plans.

He takes the helm at the nation’s largest health insurer at a time of turmoil for the industry amid lingering questions about whether business practices wrongly delay or block care for too many patients. A group of faith-based shareholders at UnitedHealth Group announced this month a petition calling on the company to report on the human and economic toll from limiting or delaying access to health care.

UnitedHealth Group said in a statement that Noel “brings unparalleled experience to this role with a proven track record and strong commitment to improving how health care works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.