UnitedHealth Group is expected to add a new leader with unique experience in healthcare to its board. On November 18, 2025, UnitedHealth announced that Dr. Scott Gottlieb is being named to its board, effective immediately.¹

Dr. Gottlieb previously served as the FDA commissioner from 2017 to 2019, where UnitedHealth says that he promoted transparency, strengthened patient safety, and widened consumer choice.¹ During his time as commissioner, Dr. Gottlieb led initiatives to modernize regulations that helped to foster medical innovation, promote competition in the pharmaceutical market, confront the opioid epidemic, and halt youth tobacco use.¹

Along with his FDA service, Dr. Gottlieb has also held positions at both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and on the Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee.¹ As a practicing physician, Dr. Gottlieb is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, serving as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a partner at New Enterprise Associates.¹

In addition to his medical expertise, he also contributes to both CNBC and CBS News.

UnitedHealth Group CEO’s statement on Dr. Gottlieb’s appointment to the board

“Scott has had an exceptional health care career in both the public and private sectors,” said Stephen J. Hemsley, UnitedHealth Group’s CEO and executive board chairman. “He is an innovator who constantly advocates for a more integrated health care approach supported by the latest technology. We welcome his deep expertise and thought leadership as we strive to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone.”

What led to UnitedHealth appointing Dr. Gottlieb to its board?

Dr. Gottlieb’s appointment to the board comes at a time where UnitedHealth is striving to retore shareholder and customer relations following turmoil regarding the murder of former CEO Brian Thompson, a federal investigation for potential civil and criminal fraud related to Medicare advantage billing, and public outrage over industry practices.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb’s reaction to being appointed to UnitedHealth’s board

“I look forward to working with UnitedHealth Group to help shape how medical breakthroughs are developed and made accessible to patients who may benefit from them,” said Dr. Gottlieb. “I hope to leverage my experience to support providers in their delivery of care that’s not only more innovative but also more affordable, and that improves outcomes for patients and communities.”

UnitedHealth Raises its 2025 profit forecast

Along with appointing Dr. Gottlieb to its board, UnitedHealth recently revealed a raise to its annual profit forecast for 2025, raising its 2025 earnings outlook to reflect net earnings of at least $14.90 per share and adjusted net earnings of at least $16.25 per share.² The company reported that its third quarter results from 2025 reflect the continued execution on its performance agenda, refocus on its mission and culture, and return to sustained growth.²

“We remain focused on strengthening performance and positioning for durable and accelerating growth in 2026 and beyond, and our results this quarter reflect solid execution toward that goal,” said Stephen Hemsley, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.

Sources

1. Scott Gottlieb, M.D., Joins UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors UnitedHealth Group November 18, 2025 https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2025/2025-11-18-scott-gottlieb-joins-uhg-board-of-directors.html
2. UnitedHealth Group Reports Third Quarter 2025 Results and Raises Full Year 2025 Earnings Outlook UnitedHealth Group October 28, 2025https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2025/2025-10-2 8-uhg-reports-third-quarter-2025-results-and-raises-full-year-2025-earnings-outlook.html
3. UnitedHealth Group responds to Department of Justice investigation UnitedHealth Group July 24, 2025 https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2025/2025-07-24-uhg-responds-to-doj-investigation.html