---
title: "Psych News Alert: CMS Offers Extensions in Wake of Cybersecurity Attack on Change Healthcare"
description: Last month, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of United Healthcare, experienced a massive cybersecurity attack that continues to impact insur...
---

[Psych News Alert ](https://alert.psychnews.org)

# [Psych News Alert: CMS Offers Extensions in Wake of Cybersecurity Attack on Change Healthcare](https://alert.psychnews.org/2024/03/cms-offers-extensions-in-wake-of.html)

 Written by [Psychiatric News Alert](https://alert.psychnews.org/author/psychiatric-news-alert) | 3/25/24 4:00 AM

Last month, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of United Healthcare, experienced a massive cybersecurity attack that continues to impact insurance payments to hospitals and health practices. While Change Healthcare works to restore key systems to enable claim processing, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken steps to assist impacted physicians.

- Physicians impacted by the cyberattack may request [advance Medicare payments](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-statement-continued-action-respond-cyberattack-change-healthcare) to help with cash flow disruptions. More details of the program, terms, and the steps needed to apply can be found in the CMS [Fact Sheet](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/change-healthcare/optum-payment-disruption-chopd-accelerated-payments-part-providers-and-advance) and [FAQ](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/change-healthcare/optum-payment-disruption-chopd-accelerated-and-advance-payments-part-providers-and).
- CMS has also extended the 2023 MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) submission deadline until **April 15**. In addition, CMS has reopened the 2023 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances [hardship application](https://qpp.cms.gov/mips/exception-applications#mipseucexception-2023), which likewise has a deadline of **April 15** (the hardship exemption is not automatic). Physicians can make their submission by logging on to the [CMS portal](https://qpp.cms.gov/login).

UnitedHealth Group/UnitedHealthcare is providing the latest updates and resources related to the cyberattack and how it’s managing the impacts on its [website](https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/changehealthcarecyberresponse).

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has posted [resources](https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/hhs-letter-and-appendix-to-providers.pdf) to assist providers with the aftermath of the cybersecurity attacks. The resource document includes a national contact person for each plan, though HHS urges providers to contact their health insurer’s regional contact first. If these contacts do not respond, contact HHScyber@hhs.gov.

### Help APA Address Parity Issues

APA needs member input to assist us in discussions with federal agencies that work to enforce the [Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/advocacy/federal-affairs/health-insurance-coverage-access-to-care/mental-health-parity). This will help APA counteract misinformation coming from health insurance plans. Please take a few minutes to answer this short survey [here](https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7770781/Parity-Survey). The deadline is **Monday, April 1**.

[View full post](https://alert.psychnews.org/2024/03/cms-offers-extensions-in-wake-of.html)

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