Uncle Sam intervenes as Change Healthcare ransomware fiasco creates mayhem

The US government has stepped in to help hospitals and other healthcare providers affected by the Change Healthcare ransomware infection, offering more relaxed Medicare rules and urging advanced funding to providers. Change, a UnitedHealth Group-owned IT services firm, provides software to more than 70,000 American pharmacies and healthcare organizations so they can electronically process insurance claims and fill prescription orders. Many of Change’s customers have reported disruptions and severe cash flow issues following the February 21 cyber attack. On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intervened to assist the healthcare industry and ensure that medical facilities can continue to provide patient care. "Numerous hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and other stakeholders have highlighted potential cash flow concerns to HHS stemming from an inability to submit claims and receive payments," the department explained in a statement. "HHS has heard these concerns and is taking direct action and working to support the important needs of the healthcare community." This includes allowing Medicare providers to change clearing houses they use for claims processed during the outage via an expedited process. The Feds are also "encouraging" Medicare Advantage organizations to offer advance funding to providers more severely affected by the cyber attack. These are the private companies – like UnitedHealthcare and Humana – that Medicare pays to cover individuals' benef...