NEW YORK- Health insurers doing business in New York are being directed to follow new protocols and assist healthcare providers following a cyberattack on healthcare platform Change Healthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group. The cyberattack resulted in disruptions to the company’s claims and payment systems.
Change Healthcare is a technology platform used by a large number of healthcare providers and when the company’s security was breached, it was forced to temporarily shut down. The February 21st attack is not the first cyberattack on a health insurance provider and in response state regulators have released new guidance on what providers should to do avoid disruptions in care.
The guidance provides instruction on how insurers should work with providers to avoid disruptions in care, which may include suspending certain utilization review requirements, appeal timeframes, claim submission timeframes, and eligibility verifications. State regulators also strongly urge insurers to work with providers to address cash flow disruptions to avoid disruption of health care services for patients.
“Every New Yorker deserves to feel confidence that their financial information, and sensitive medical data, are safe from digital attacks and the dark web,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Health care insurers and providers must work together to guarantee that any digital event doesn’t stop people from receiving appropriate care, and my administration has allocated $500 million to help hospitals rapidly and aggressively enhance their systems and safety protocols.”
