100 Most Influential People in Healthcare - 2021

Bright Health Group was founded by former UnitedHealth Group executives bent on replicating the nation’s largest insurer’s strategy, and represented the highest valuation—and one of the greatest falls in stock price—of the group of health insurtechs that went public in the past year.

Before joining Bright Health, Mikan was chair and CEO of Shot-Rock Capital and served as president of ESL Investments. He was also on the boards of several companies, including AutoNation and Best Buy, where he served briefly as interim CEO. Mikan was chief financial officer at UnitedHealthcare before becoming executive vice president and chief financial officer of UnitedHealth Group. He also served as CEO of Optum.

Mikan speaks: “The groundswell of civil unrest across the country makes it clear that the complicated work of dismantling systemic racism will require the commitment … of all of our citizens, our institutions, our government and yes, also our business community. Bright Health unequivocally condemns racism, discrimination, and all behaviors that undermine the humanity of people of color. We expect every human being to be treated equally and with dignity.”