The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues a letter urging healthcare leaders to address the fallout of a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, emphasizing transparency and financial support from UnitedHealth Group (UHG) and other payers. The American Hospital Association (AHA) supports this call, emphasizing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted patient care amid the crisis. The letter, co-signed by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Julie A. Su of the U.S. Department of Labor, outlines specific actions to mitigate the attack’s impact, including expedited payments, enhanced communication, and streamlined processes. These efforts aim to bolster cybersecurity resilience and maintain healthcare delivery integrity.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a letter to healthcare leaders, addressing the cyberattack on Change Healthcare and urging UnitedHealth Group (UHG) to enhance transparency regarding the incident. In response, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has voiced support for this initiative, emphasizing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted patient care by facilitating timely payments to hospitals, physicians, and other providers.
Rick Pollack, President and CEO of AHA, emphasized the necessity for all payers to assist providers during this challenging period, emphasizing the need to alleviate administrative burdens, streamline payment processes, and provide advanced financial support until the issue is fully resolved. While acknowledging the limitations of the federal government to mandate actions by private payers, Pollack suggested that Congress might need to intervene to prevent disruptions in the healthcare system.
The letter from HHS, dated March 10, was jointly issued by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Julie A. Su, acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. It highlights the extensive impact of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a critical player processing a significant portion of the nation’s healthcare transactions. The attack has disrupted payments to various healthcare providers nationwide, raising concerns about their ability to deliver care without financial constraints.
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken proactive measures to address the cyberattack, and the letter calls upon private sector leaders, especially UHG and other payers, to collaborate in mitigating its consequences. Specific actions urged include ensuring financial stability for affected providers, expediting payment disbursement, enhancing communication and transparency, and facilitating access to assistance programs. Additionally, insurance companies and other payers are encouraged to make interim payments, streamline administrative processes, and suspend certain requirements to alleviate providers’ burdens.
Furthermore, the letter emphasizes the interconnectedness of the healthcare ecosystem and underscores the importance of enhancing cybersecurity resilience. It references previous initiatives, such as HHS’ cybersecurity strategy and the Department of Labor’s Best Practices for Cybersecurity Programs, aimed at fortifying defenses against cyber threats.
In response to the disruption caused by the cyberattack, HHS announced measures to support affected healthcare providers, including streamlined processes for changing clearinghouses, relaxation of prior authorization requirements, and acceptance of paper claims submissions. These efforts aim to ensure continuity of care and financial stability for providers amidst the ongoing challenges.
Additionally, accelerated payments and advance payments have been made available to Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers experiencing claims disruptions due to the incident. These actions have been welcomed by healthcare organizations, including America’s Physician Groups, as crucial support in alleviating cash flow pressures faced by providers.
The cyberattack on Change Healthcare underscores the imperative for collective action to safeguard patient care and strengthen healthcare cybersecurity. The letter from HHS catalyzes collaboration between public and private entities, urging UnitedHealth Group (UHG) and other payers to prioritize financial support and operational transparency. Through streamlined processes, expedited payments, and enhanced communication, the healthcare sector can mitigate the attack’s disruptions and bolster resilience against future cyber threats. This coordinated effort reflects a commitment to ensuring uninterrupted care delivery and underscores the interconnectedness of the healthcare ecosystem in safeguarding patient well-being.
