“We are in a crisis, and in a crisis, just like we were in COVID, we’re providing care because that’s what we absolutely must do. That’s our fundamental mission,” said Paul Kidwell, Senior VP, Policy, CHA, who joined Connecticut healthcare providers and U.S. Senator Blumenthal for a press conference at the state Capitol to discuss efforts to address the Change Healthcare cyberattack.
Most Connecticut patients haven’t yet felt the headwinds from the Change Healthcare cyberattack, and that’s because hospitals and physicians have been weathering the storm to protect patients from the repercussions of this unprecedented cybersecurity breach. But federal and state action is needed to provide relief from the resulting burdens falling onto the backs of healthcare providers.
“The hospitals and independent physicians and advanced care providers are doing herculean work to make the system continue functioning through manual communications and paper records,” said Sen. Blumenthal.
Right now, providers are navigating massive disruptions to reimbursements, billing, and prior authorization processes amid the network outage. Commercial insurers and the federal government must meet the moment and help the healthcare system stay afloat. Advanced payments and prior authorization waivers for Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurer claims will not only keep providers’ lights on but will ensure the delivery of quality care to all Connecticut residents.
The cash flow fallout from the breach, which will take months if not years to mitigate, also underscores the significance of technology in today’s healthcare system. That’s why, in addition to holding United Health Group accountable for the breach, Connecticut’s congressional delegation is calling for HHS to aggressively investigate the threat to patient privacy.
CHA continues to work with commercial payers and representatives from the Lamont Administration to emphasize the urgent need for interim payments and relief from healthcare insurance company administrative burdens.
18 мар 2024
