US ends funding for orgs hurt by Change Healthcare attack
The Register
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The US government is ending its financial support program for healthcare providers affected by the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, initiated in March and set to conclude on July 12. This support from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressed severe cash flow issues faced by providers unable to submit claims or receive payments following the attack that crippled Change Healthcare's systems. The intervention included relaxed rules on clearinghouses, and advanced funding encouragement. Nearly 9,000 accelerated payments worth over $3.2 billion were made to Medicare providers, with most being recovered now that billing systems are operational. With the program concluding, providers facing ongoing issues must directly contact Change Healthcare or their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). CMS will remain vigilant in monitoring the impacts and emphasizes heightened cybersecurity measures within the healthcare ecosystem. The financial toll from the attack on Change Healthcare, as of April, is nearing $1 billion, significantly surpassing previous high-profile incidents like MGM Resorts' $100 million recovery cost.
