CMS Issues Statement on Change Healthcare Cyberattack

On March 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a statement on the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary, Change Healthcare. Change Healthcare is a claims processing network within UnitedHealth Group’s Optum subsidiary. The February 21st cyberattack disrupted the company’s ability to process health care claims transactions, prior authorization requests, and reimbursements. CMS stated that it is actively examining its authority to help support health care providers affected by the disruption and is working with states to do the same. The agency said that it will continue to urge health plans to use their abilities to support providers and work with states.