Centene Corporation has created two new executive leadership roles reporting to CEO Sarah London, as the US managed care giant continues to refine its structure around core government and commercial lines in a tougher operating environment.
The company has hired Daniel Finke (pictured, left) as group president, markets and commercial, and promoted Michael Carson (pictured, right) to group president, Medicare and specialty.
“We are pleased to recognize Michael's continued leadership and excited to leverage Dan's deep industry expertise and track record of strategic execution,” London said. “Their collective experience will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen performance across the portfolio and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”
Finke, a healthcare executive with more than two decades of experience leading and scaling health plan organizations across government and commercial markets, will oversee Centene’s Medicaid and commercial segments.
He joins Centene from Convey Health Solutions, where he served as chief executive officer. Before that, he was executive vice president of CVS Health and president of Aetna, leading strategy and operations across Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance businesses.
“I am excited to join Centene at a time of meaningful opportunity across government-sponsored healthcare and the individual market,” Finke said. “Centene's mission-driven focus and strong market presence position the company to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions for members, providers and government partners. I look forward to working with the leadership team to drive long-term value for our stakeholders, including by positively impacting the health of the communities we serve.”
Finke steps into a business still heavily weighted toward public programs but also leaning on its commercial exchange franchise for growth. Centene is the largest Medicaid managed care organization and the largest carrier on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, as well as the largest stand‑alone Medicare Part D provider in the US. Those books have come under pressure from Medicaid redeterminations, elevated medical costs and shifting marketplace dynamics, putting execution on pricing, medical cost management and state contracting squarely within his remit.
As group president, Medicare and specialty, Carson will have expanded oversight of Centene’s Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, dual-eligible and specialty businesses.
Carson’s experience spans nearly three decades of healthcare leadership. He joined Centene in January 2024 as CEO of its Medicare business, Wellcare. Prior to that, he served as chief executive officer for Bright HealthCare and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, as well as CareAbout, a multi-specialty, value-based care delivery organization.
“In this expanded role, I will continue to build on the strong foundation we have established across our Medicare and specialty businesses,” Carson said. “As the healthcare landscape evolves, our focus remains on improving affordability, access, and outcomes for the members we serve. In particular, we look forward to deepening our ability to provide a better, more integrated experience to those who need it most, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.”
Centene’s Medicare franchise has been a focal point for investors and regulators. The company has one of the higher concentrations of dual‑eligible special needs plan members among large national insurers, aligning with its Medicaid scale but increasing exposure to complex, high‑acuity populations.
The leadership moves follow Centene’s 2025 results and 2026 guidance, which showed revenue growth but margin pressure from higher medical costs, marketplace risk‑adjustment headwinds and the impact of a large, non‑cash goodwill impairment. Management has signaled a focus on improving profitability in 2026 through repricing, benefit changes and tighter cost control.
Finke’s new role links Centene’s largest membership pools at a time when state budgets, pharmacy inflation and behavioral health utilization are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Carson’s expanded portfolio incorporates star ratings, Medicare drug benefit reforms and growth in dual‑eligible enrollment.
