Hospitals Losing $24 Million Per Day in UHG Cyberattack
workerscompensation.com
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) are raising concerns over prior authorization and claims payment issues following a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a company affiliated with Optum and UnitedHealth Group (UHG). The attack, attributed to the Blackcat group, resulted in the theft of significant data, including sensitive personal information. In response to operational disruptions caused by the attack, UHG has proposed temporary solutions and financial assistance for providers, though these measures have been critiqued for their feasibility and sufficiency. Subsequent reports indicate severe financial impacts on healthcare providers, with delays in patient care due to authorization problems and significant financial losses. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has called on UHG to enhance communication and transparency, and is investigating the cyberattack for potential HIPAA violations and its impact on critical patient care. Meanwhile, legal actions are underway against Change Healthcare and UHG for purported inadequate cybersecurity measures.
