18 health plan C-suite exits in 2026

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From regional plans to large, for-profit health insurers, 2026 has marked a year of executive transition.

Here are 18 C-suite executives who recently shared plans to leave their organization:

1. Mike Murphy is leaving Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nevada after more than three decades, with Manan Shah taking over as president of commercial health plans, according to a July 9 news release.

2. Brady Priest is stepping down from his role as CEO of Clover Care Services, Clover Health’s home care business, effective July 3. No one will replace him, a regulatory filing said.

3. Susan Larkin, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Independence Blue Cross, left her role June 1.

4. John Hastings, the chief growth officer for Elevance Health’s services subsidiary, Carelon, said he is leaving the company by the end of May. The company previously appointed a Humana alum as chief growth and strategy officer for Carelon.

5. The chief health equity officer for Centene’s Health Net, Pooja Mittal, DO, is leaving after a decade with the company and four years working in that capacity.

6. Mark Huth, MD, president and CEO of the Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, is retiring in April 2027.

7. Pam Shipley, Centene’s chief strategy officer, left the company in May after nearly 14 years.

8. SCAN Health Plan’s chief growth officer, Michael Blea, is exiting, according to a May LinkedIn post.

9. The chief innovation officer for UnitedHealth Group, Dame Vivian Hunt, is leaving, she said in April.

10. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s treasury vice president and chief investment officer, May Vang, left in April for other opportunities.

11. Clover CFO Peter Kuipers left at the end of March.

12. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming President and CEO Diane Gore retired after 40 years, with her successor taking over in May.

13. The Cigna Group’s CEO, David Cordani is retiring July 1, serving as executive chair of the board.

14. Heather Cianfrocco, UnitedHealth Group’s executive vice president of governance, compliance and information security, left the company to serve as COO of Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health. She was previously Optum’s CEO.

15. In early May, Elevance Health’s Peter Haytaian departed his role as executive vice president and president of Carelon.

16. Charles Joseph, Florida Blue and GuideWell executive vice president for corporate affairs and general counsel, retired.

17. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana President and CEO Bryan Camerlinck will retire by the end of 2026.

18. CalOptima Health CEO Michael Hunn will also retire at the end of the year.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published May 28 and updated July 9.

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