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
