Change Healthcare Cyber Attack
Change Healthcare Cyber Attack
Cyber Attack Affects Change Healthcare
Impact on Dental Practices
Dear Dentists and Dental Practices,
We're reaching out to inform you of a recent cyber attack that has affected Change Healthcare, a major healthcare technology company in the United States. This incident has broader implications, particularly for dental, medical, and pharmaceutical organizations.
What Happened?
On February 21st, Change Healthcare fell victim to a cyber attack, causing disruptions in various healthcare services. The fallout has affected pharmacies' ability to process prescriptions and has also impacted dental practices' electronic claims processing, attachment submissions to insurance companies, the ability to send statements to patients, and several other communication services.
Response from Change Healthcare
As of February 29, 2024, according to Change Healthcare, they have confirmed the occurrence of a cybersecurity issue, which they attribute to a cybercrime threat actor identifying themselves as ALPHV/Blackcat.
Change Healthcare's experts are currently working to address the situation, collaborating closely with law enforcement and notable third-party consultants, namely Mandiant and Palo Alto Network, to mitigate the attack on their systems. They are actively assessing the impact on members, patients, and customers.
Impact on Dental Practices
For dental practices, this cyber event will lead to delays in claims processing and receiving payments from insurance companies. Electronic claims and attachments are currently affected, potentially disrupting the workflow and financial stability of dental practices relying on such systems.
What Can Dental Practices Do?
In light of these disruptions, it's crucial for impacted dental practices to explore alternative options to expedite claims processing and maintain financial stability. As a valued customer of Remote Sourcing, these are the steps we are taking to remain proactive during this event:
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Utilizing Payer Portals or Provider Service Lines: We have integrated payer portals and provider service lines into our processes to streamline eligibility and benefits verification, making it easier for you to navigate claims processing.
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Tracking Claims Carefully: We are meticulously monitoring all claims and their statuses. This allows us to quickly identify and address any delays or issues that may arise, ensuring minimal impact on your operations.
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Consider Paper Claim Forms: As a last resort, consider reverting to paper claim forms for submitting claims manually. While this may be less efficient than electronic processing, it can serve as a temporary solution until electronic services are restored.
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Exploring Alternative Clearinghouse Options: Our team has been in contact with vendors to explore alternative clearinghouse options for claim submissions. We have backup systems and partnerships in place to assist you seamlessly, should the need arise.
Trusted Alternatives
If you need to change your clearinghouse, we recommend switching to Vyne.
Contact: Sherri Richard, Director of Sales
sherri.richard@vynedental.com
866-798-8847
For expedited service, please mention Remote Sourcing in your e-mail or call.
Please include the following in your e-mail:
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Office Name
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Demographics
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Tax ID
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Practice Management Software
If you need to change your e-prescription service provider, we recommend switching over to iCore Rx.
Contact: Sulianna Nelson, Senior Sales Rep
407-515-5319
For expedited service, please include group name: RS
Stay Informed and Proactive
We encourage all impacted dental practices to stay vigilant and proactive during this period of disruption. Keep an eye out for communication from vendors and payers regarding the restoration of services. By staying informed and exploring alternative solutions, you can minimize the impact of this cyber event on your practice's operations.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
