Lawsuits start rolling in over Change Healthcare hack
Becker's Hospital Review
|
Summary
Lawsuits have begun to be filed against Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, in the wake of a massive cyberattack affecting hospitals, physician offices, and pharmacies across the United States. Court records reveal that at least five federal lawsuits are seeking class-action status, with three lodged in Tennessee and two in Minnesota. These legal actions highlight allegations against the company for failing to maintain adequate security measures, not disclosing weaknesses in their security protocols, and consequently, putting patients' data and financial well-being at risk.
In particular, one lawsuit from Minnesota points to the plaintiff's direct experience of inconvenience and potential financial burden due to the cyberattack's impact on Change Healthcare's network. The complaint details the plaintiff's struggle to use health insurance for medication, facing high upfront costs with the promise of later insurance claims processing that remains uncertain. This series of lawsuits underscores the severe consequences of cyberattacks on healthcare infrastructure, not only in operational disruptions but also in the tangible impacts on individuals' lives. UnitedHealth Group has responded to the crisis by focusing on the investigation and recovery of Change Healthcare's operations, amidst predictions that the lawsuit count could rise significantly, marking this as potentially the largest cybersecurity breach in the healthcare industry to date.
