Cigna's longtime CEO to step down as health insurers face growing scrutiny

By Jaimy Lee

David Cordani to be replaced by Cigna veteran Brian Evanko

David Cordani of Cigna testifies in January before the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Cigna's shares slumped in early Tuesday trading after the health insurer announced a CEO transition.

The company (CI) said David Cordani, who has served as chief executive since 2009, is stepping down July 1. He is 60. Brian Evanko is taking his place. Evanko, currently president and chief operating officer, has spent his entire career at Cigna. He is 49.

In a news release, Cordani described Evanko as "the right person" to guide Cigna "into its next chapter" and added that "the status quo in health care today is unsustainable."

The change in leadership at one of the nation's largest health insurers arrives at a tumultuous moment for the industry, which is facing growing anger about the rising cost of health insurance, including from the Trump administration.

Cigna's stock fell 3.9% in premarket trading, putting it on track to see a four-day win streak snapped.

This year will be a test for the industry. Americans who use the Obamacare marketplaces put in place under the Affordable Care Act are grappling with the loss of enhanced tax credits, a new law that aims to reform pharmacy benefit managers was passed last month, and insurers are waiting to see whether they will get a better Medicare Advantage rate after a lower-than-expected proposal. That decision should arrive in early April.

The Federal Trade Commission also announced a settlement last month with Express Scripts, Cigna's PBM, over allegations that the business "artificially inflated" the list prices of insulin. The PBMs operated by CVS Health (CVS) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) were also part of the FTC's enforcement. Raymond James analysts have described the impact to Cigna as requiring "drastic change" but "manageable."

In January, Cordani, along with the CEOs of UnitedHealth Group, CVS, Elevance Health (ELV) and Ascendiun - the parent organization of Blue Shield of California - testified before lawmakers in two separate hearings. President Donald Trump has called for a meeting with the leaders, though it's unclear if that has happened.

Some experts believe health insurance will be a major issue in the midterm elections later this year.

Cigna's stock has lost less than 7% over the past year through Monday, outperforming shares of UnitedHealth and Elevance, which are down 37% and 26%, respectively.

-Jaimy Lee

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03-03-26 0915ET