UnitedHealth provides update on Change Healthcare cyberattack

UnitedHealth released a statement on the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack. “We are committed to providing relief for people affected by this malicious attack on the U.S. health system,” said Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group. “All of us at UnitedHealth Group feel a deep sense of responsibility for recovery and are working tirelessly to ensure that providers can care for their patients and run their practices, and that patients can get their medications. We’re determined to make this right as fast as possible.” Based on our ongoing investigation, there is no indication that any other UnitedHealth Group systems have been affected by this attack. “We are working aggressively on the restoration of our systems and services,” the company said. “Assuming we continue at our current rate of progress, we expect our key system functionality to be restored and available on the following timelines: Pharmacy services: Electronic prescribing is now fully functional with claim submission and payment transmission also available as of today. We have taken action to make sure patients can access their medicines in the meantime, including Optum Rx pharmacies sending members their medications based on the date needed. Payments platform: Electronic payment functionality will be available for connection beginning March 15. Medical claims: We expect to begin testing and reestablish connectivity to our claims network and software on March 18, restoring service through that week. While we work to restore these systems, we strongly recommend our provider and payer clients use the applicable workarounds we have established-in particular, using our new iEDI claim submission system in the interest of system redundancy given the current environment… On March 1, Optum launched a Temporary Funding Assistance Program to help bridge the gap in short-term cash flow needs for providers who received payments from payers that were processed by Change Healthcare. UnitedHealthcare will provide further funding solutions for its provider partners… For Medicare Advantage plans, including Dual Special Needs Plans, we are temporarily suspending prior authorizations for most outpatient services except for Durable Medical Equipment, cosmetic procedures and Part B step therapies. We also are temporarily suspending utilization review for MA inpatient admissions. For Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits, we are temporarily suspending drug formulary exception review processes. These actions will remain in place until March 31. We will work with state Medicaid agencies on any actions they wish to implement… As of today, all major pharmacy claims and payment systems are back up and functioning. We have taken action to make sure patients can access their medicines in the meantime, including Optum Rx pharmacies sending members their medications based on the date needed. Additionally, recognizing that we were asking pharmacies to take action to help patients, Optum Rx PBM notified network pharmacy partners and pharmacy associations that we would reimburse all appropriate pharmacy claims filled with the good faith understanding that a medication would be covered. We continue to focus on those remaining areas of pharmacy disruption, including specialty coupon programs and certain claims for infusion providers.”