A federal program to address Medicare funding issues resulting from the February cyberattack UnitedHealth Groupof Transforming Healthcare It will end on July 12th.
The Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) Accelerated Advance Payment (AAP) program was launched in March to mitigate the cash flow disruptions experienced by some Medicare providers and suppliers following the cyberattacks. of Center Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said on Monday (June 17). press release.
“Our efforts have helped minimize any disruption caused by this incident, and we will remain vigilant to prepare for any future occurrences,” the CMS administrator said. Chiquita Brooks LaSure said in a release.
Since the program’s inception, CMS has made CHOPD accelerated payments totaling $2.55 billion to 4,200 Part A providers, including hospitals, and CHOPD advance payments totaling $717.18 billion to Part B providers, including physicians and nonphysician practitioners. and According to the announcement, the durable medical equipment supplier.
Providers and suppliers are now successfully billing Medicare, and CMS has collected more than 96 percent of those payments to date, according to the release.
According to the announcement, after July 12, CMS will no longer accept applications for CHOPD payments.
“CMS continues to monitor any other impacts of the cyberattack on Medicare service providers and suppliers and will continue to work with industry partners to address any remaining issues or concerns,” the agency said in a press release.
“CMS encourages all service providers, suppliers, technology vendors and other members of the healthcare ecosystem to urgently strengthen their cybersecurity,” it added.
February Cyber attacksThe attack, orchestrated by a ransomware group, compromised electronic pharmacy refills and insurance transactions, affecting healthcare services across the United States.
The chaos prompted a call to the White House for emergency aid for victims.
With CMS, Prepayment From the Federal Government to Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers who are facing cash flow challenges due to certain circumstances beyond their control.
In May, the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines By 2023, US companies will be the primary targets of cyber attacks. Healthcare field The number of attacks has doubled compared to the previous year.
