Proxy statements for 2021 have been filed for the nation's largest payers, including the public release of chief operating officer and chief administrative officer salaries and compensation packages.
Of the largest six payers, only Cigna does not have a COO or CAO. The company has an executive vice president of operations, but his compensation is not public.
Five highest-paid payer COOs and CAOs in 2021 ranked from highest to lowest:
1. CVS Health (Aetna) Executive Vice President and COO Jonathan Roberts
Salary: $1,237,500
Stock awards: $7,499,993
Option awards: $2,499,994
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $3,887,000
All other compensation: $230,094
Total: $15,354,581
2. UnitedHealth Group President and COO Dirk McMahon
Salary: $1,161,539
Stock awards: $8,550,501
Option awards: $2,850,024
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $2,050,000
All other compensation: $31,424
Total: $14,643,488
3. Centene President and COO Brent Layton
Salary: $1,007,212
Stock awards: $10,605,437
Option awards: $450,004
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,959,618
All other compensation: $83,473
Total: $14,105,744
4. Anthem Executive Vice President and CAO Gloria McCarthy
Salary: $890,385
Stock awards: $2,625,154
Option awards: $874,893
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,260,519
Change in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings: $148,868
All other compensation: $123,315
Total: $5,923,134
5. Humana CAO Timothy Huval
Salary: $660,500
Stock awards: $1,616,410
Option awards: $457,098
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $594,450
All other compensation: $173,565
Total: $3,502,023