Brian Evanko, CEO and chief financial officer of Cigna's Cigna Healthcare arm, has been named president and chief operating officer of the Cigna Group as the company shuffles its top leadership.
The leadership changes, said Cigna, are designed to further drive the company's focus on patients and "accelerate its growth strategy."
"These leadership changes create a sharpened structure to build upon our strengths for continued growth, enhance our customer focus, and deliver even greater value for those we serve," said David M. Cordani, chairman and CEO, The Cigna Group. "The bedrock of our continued success is our exceptional talent."
WHAT'S THE IMPACT
Evanko will assume responsibility for all business lines reporting to Cordani effective March 31. In January 2024, Evanko was named president and CEO for Cigna Healthcare with oversight of all Cigna Healthcare businesses. Evanko also serves as the company's chief financial officer, a role he has held since 2021.
Since joining the company in 1998, Evanko has served in a variety of key commercial and functional leadership roles in the U.S. and abroad, said Cigna.
Meanwhile, Ann Dennison has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer, the Cigna Group, reporting to Cordani and joining the company's Enterprise Leadership Team. In that capacity, she'll have responsibility for all enterprise financial operations and functions.
Prior to joining Cigna in early 2024 as deputy CFO, Dennison was executive vice president and the chief financial officer at Nasdaq, where she led a global team responsible for corporate finance, treasury, planning and analysis, investor relations, ESG reporting, procurement and real estate. She joined Nasdaq in 2015 as senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, and prior to that, she was a managing director and head of financial reporting at Goldman Sachs.
At the same time, Eric Palmer is departing The Cigna Group at the end of April. After a 25-plus year career, he currently oversees the Evernorth Health Services business, which has expanded its service capabilities during Palmer's tenure and today is "well-positioned for continued, sustained growth," according to Cigna.
THE LARGER TREND
Cigna reaffirmed projected full-year 2025 consolidated adjusted income from operations of at least $29.50 per share in January. The company also reaffirming 2025 Evernorth pre-tax adjusted income from operations of at least $7.2 billion, and Cigna Healthcare pre-tax adjusted income from operations of at least $4.1 billion.
The Cigna Group saw profits take a hit in the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching $1.4 billion, while it struggled with elevated medical costs, officials said during a January earnings call.
Cigna's profits for the year were $3.4 billion, a decrease from the $5.2 billion in profit logged in 2023.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.