Optum Health, the care delivery arm of UnitedHealth Group, has named Krista Nelson as its new CEO.
“I’m deeply grateful to be part of an organization with such an important mission and an incredible team,” Ms. Nelson wrote on Linkedin on Nov. 11. “I look forward to all we’ll accomplish together for our patients, our communities and each other.”
She was previously named COO at Optum Health earlier this year after serving as CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid business since 2024 . She has been with the company since 2009.
Patrick Conway, MD, CEO of Optum, had been serving as CEO of Optum Health since June, when then-CEO Amar Desai, MD, was named president of Optum integrated care.
Optum Health reported flat, year-over-year revenue this past quarter as the unit faces challenges related to its rapid expansion in recent years, growing to encompass a network of more than 90,000 affiliated and employed physicians. For 2026, Optum said it will work with fewer providers and plans to switch to a direct physician employment model.
Optum Health anticipates margin improvement next year to set the business up for acceleration in 2027 toward a 6% to 8% margin.
