Bengaluru, India – The U.S. government has called on UnitedHealth Group to speed up payments to healthcare providers following a cyberattack on its Change Healthcare unit that disrupted medical claims and payments. In an open letter, officials from the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services have urged UnitedHealth to address the financial challenges providers are facing due to the cyberattack.
The government’s plea to UnitedHealth extends beyond just the one company, asking for collaboration from other entities in the industry as well. The letter emphasizes the importance of taking additional measures to lessen the impact of the cyberattack on patients and providers, especially those in safety net roles.
Since the cyberattack on Change Healthcare was disclosed on February 21st, there have been widespread repercussions across the U.S. healthcare system. The hackers, identified as the “Blackcat” ransomware group, have caused disruptions in electronic pharmacy refills and insurance transactions.
To assist hospitals affected by the cyberattack, the U.S. government announced last week that Medicare and Medicaid payments would be expedited. UnitedHealth has pledged to restore services for medical claims and payments platforms by mid-March following the attack.
As of now, UnitedHealth has not yet provided a public comment in response to the U.S. government’s letter. The urgency expressed by officials highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for swift action to support healthcare providers during this challenging time.
In the face of ongoing cybersecurity threats, the healthcare industry is grappling with the consequences of such attacks. The cooperation and swift response from both government entities and companies like UnitedHealth are crucial in ensuring the stability and security of the healthcare system for providers and patients alike.