Thomas Choate
Windermere,USA
Summary
Dynamic executive with extensive experience in P&L management and strategic planning at UnitedHealth Group. Proven track record in driving revenue growth through innovative sales strategies and enhancing operational efficiency. Adept at financial analysis and risk management, fostering collaborative environments that empower teams to excel and achieve ambitious goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Consultant
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts
01.2024 - Current
- Advised on financial operations of health plans, enhancing underwriting and actuarial strategies.
Focused on sales techniques to drive revenue growth and product development.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize operational efficiency in health plan management.
Interim President and CEO
LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN
01.2024 - Current
- Oversaw P&L management and daily operations during leadership transition as President and CEO.
Independent Consultant
Season Health
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Consultant specializing in sales and distribution
Independent Board Member
LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Member of the board of directors.
- Member of the audit committee.
Senior Vice President, OPTUM Rx
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Lead strategic initiatives for the commercial OPTUM pharmacy division.
- Lead the intersegment agreements between OPTUM Rx and UHC. Establish pricing, contract and growth strategies for UHC business segments including commercial, Medicare and Medicaid.
- Drive integrated sales and growth and sales strategies between UHC and OPTUM Rx leveraging my longtime network as part of the UHC senior leadership team. Enabled functions in sales, external distribution, product, underwriting and actuarial.
- Drive activities to improve consumer experience and net promoter scores. Activities include product development, digital tools and survey analytics.
Chief Executive Officer, National Accounts/ Group Medicare
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Strategic/operational, execution and P&L for UnitedHealthcare’s National Accounts and United Retiree Services. Direct a staff of 1000 people, generating combined revenues of $24 billion annually, and serving over twelve million members.
- Accountable for multiple P&Ls business units with diverse multi-line employee benefits product businesses.
- Developed and implemented growth strategies and strategic business plans for E&I National Accounts and Retiree Solutions. Set goals and objectives must achieve annual growth, profitability, NPS and employee engagement targets.
- Accountable for providing the leadership to achieve annual membership growth targets across business units for medical, pharmacy, dental, life and disability products.
- Lead with in-depth industry knowledge, competitor insights and internal capabilities to set the strategic direction for UnitedHealth Group. Flex and capitalize on specific market opportunities through capital investments and innovation.
- Overall management accountability for over 1,200 dedicated employees associated with multiple functional areas in multiple geographic locations.
- Drives a business culture the ensures an industry leading consumer experience across all products and services with internal partners.
- Lead a business culture that is inclusive and continually enhances employee engagement and allows employees to maximize their potential.
Chief Executive Officer, Southeast Region
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Strategic/operational, execution and P&L for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer and Individual Business. Directed five health plan CEO’s leading businesses with 400 employees in 9 states, generating $10 billion in annual revenue, and serving over 8 million members.
- Directed the preparation of forecasts, budgets, and long-term plans based on objectives, initiatives and resources of the region.
- Worked with the senior regional leadership team including Health Plan CEO’s to develop and ensure accountability in the execution of region-wide strategies.
- Managed business development, strategic selling and servicing - management of prospects and broker and consultant relationships.
- Focused on cultivating/managing public policy issues at the regional level.
- Worked with key UnitedHealth Group leaders to set priorities and oversee results for shared resources including clinical, network and provider relations and Optum activities.
- Establish and participate in operating team meetings to review performance against goals and identify business opportunities for UnitedHealth Group.
Chief Growth Officer
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Responsible for the national sales and service support organization, broker and consultant distribution, inside sales function and national relationships for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer and Individual business segment.
- Testified before the United States Congress on behalf of the UHC/Federal Employee Benefits Plan.
Executive Vice President, Underwriting and Actuarial
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2004 - 01.2012
- Directed strategic, operational, execution for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer and Individual Business underwriting and actuarial function managing a national team of 1400 employees.
- Achieved budgeted earnings and net growth for UnitedHealthcare.
- Directed the development of Healthcare product financials including income projections, profit-loss analyses, financial reporting, statistical reporting, and actuarial standards and methods.
- Responsible for analyzing and assessing profitability of product lines, designing pricing systems and rating plans to support the growth of business.
- Consulting member of the corporate development deal team for numerous acquisitions including Oxford, UMR and Pacificare.
- Consulted and collaborated with senior management and regional leaders regarding pricing and underwriting systems, targets, financial results, forecasting, pricing studies and filings.
- Provided oversight for the Customer Analysis and Reporting function.
Underwriting
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Various roles within the UnitedHealthcare underwriting department.
Education
Executive Education - Leadership in AI and Analytics
The Wharton School
PAMS - Master of Healthcare Delivery Science
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NHBA -
The University of Connecticut
Storrs, CTUnitedHealthcare’s President’s Leadership Development Program -
UHC/Wharton School
PASkills
- Board member
- P&L management
- Financial analysis
- Sales strategies
- Operational efficiency
- Actuarial practices
- Risk management
- Strategic planning
Volunteer Experience
- UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation, Board Member, 01/01/15, Present
- Leadership Greater Hartford, Board Member, 01/01/14, 01/01/15
Education Development
- Executive Education, Leadership in AI and Analytics, The Wharton School, PA
- MS, Master of Healthcare Delivery Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
- BA, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
- UnitedHealthcare’s President’s Leadership Development Program, UHC/Wharton School, PA
Timeline
Independent Consultant
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts
01.2024 - Current
Interim President and CEO
LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN
01.2024 - Current
Independent Consultant
Season Health
01.2023 - 01.2025
Independent Board Member
LIBERTY DENTAL PLAN
01.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Vice President, OPTUM Rx
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2022 - 01.2023
Chief Executive Officer, National Accounts/ Group Medicare
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2020 - 01.2022
Chief Executive Officer, Southeast Region
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2015 - 01.2020
Chief Growth Officer
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2012 - 01.2015
Executive Vice President, Underwriting and Actuarial
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.2004 - 01.2012
Underwriting
UNITED HEALTHGROUP
01.1998 - 01.2004
Executive Education - Leadership in AI and Analytics
The Wharton School
MS - Master of Healthcare Delivery Science
Dartmouth College
BA -
The University of Connecticut
UnitedHealthcare’s President’s Leadership Development Program -
UHC/Wharton School