UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) disclosed it spent nearly $1.7 million on security for its top executives in 2024, a sharp increase following the tragic death of Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Thompson was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel in December during an investor conference, prompting a broader reassessment of executive safety across the healthcare sector.
In addition to the corporate security expense, $207,931 was allocated to protect the families of certain executives. This marks the first time such detailed disclosures have appeared in UnitedHealth’s filings—signaling an industry-wide shift toward prioritizing executive safety.
Other Healthcare Giants Follow Suit
The surge in security spending isn’t isolated. Pharmaceutical leaders Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) have also reported heightened expenditures to protect their executives, as revealed in their latest regulatory filings.
UnitedHealth defended the increased cost, stating:
“We believe that these security services are appropriate and necessary given the risks associated with executive officer positions.”
CEO Compensation and Safety Breakdown
Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth, received total compensation of $26.3 million in 2024, up from $23.5 million in 2023.
His security expense totaled $150,951.
Heather Cianfrocco, CEO of UnitedHealth’s Optum division, saw $926,989 spent on her protection.
Following Thompson’s death, healthcare firms removed executive photos from websites, and event organizers strengthened on-site security—a trend expected to continue as companies reassess threat exposure in a digital-first, high-risk landscape.
Dig Deeper into UnitedHealth:
? Key Metrics (TTM) – Track financial trends like revenue per employee, market cap, and operating margin.
? Annual Reports (Form 10-K) – Analyze executive compensation, risk disclosures, and security-related expenses.
