Psych News Alert: CMS Offers Extensions in Wake of Cybersecurity Attack on Change Healthcare

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 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 and FAQ.
• 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, 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.

UnitedHealth Group/UnitedHealthcare is providing the latest updates and resources related to the cyberattack and how it’s managing the impacts on its website.

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has posted resources 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.

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