Four in five doctors lost income due to a healthcare cyber attack, says AMA

The impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack is financially hurting thousands of physician practices, with 80% of physicians reporting “lost revenue from unpaid claims,” according to a survey by the American Medical Association.

The AMA, the nation’s largest physician group, said the attack has threatened the viability of physician practices across the country, with more than half of respondents in the survey “having to use personal funds to cover practice costs.”

The aftermath of February’s cyberattack has caused chaos for doctors and medical providers across the country, crippling the largest billing and payment system in the US. The attack caused a shutdown of parts of Change Healthcare’s electronic system, leaving doctors and other medical care providers stranded. without the ability to obtain insurance approval for patient services.

“The disruption caused by this cyber attack is causing enormous financial pressure,” said AMA President Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld. “This survey data shows in stark terms that practices will close as a result of this incident and patients will lose access to their doctors. The one-two punch of mounting Medicare cuts and the inability to process claims resulting from this attack is devastating to physician practices already struggling to keep their doors open.”

The AMA survey, conducted March 26 through April 3, also found: “36 percent of respondents reported suspension of claims payments; 32 percent cannot file claims; and 22 percent cannot verify their eligibility for benefits.”

For its part, UnitedHealth Group, parent company of Change Healthcare, has said it advanced “nearly $4.7 billion” on April 3 to providers in need and will continue to provide financial support to providers through full system recovery.”

“Significant improvements are available for providers receiving payments from payers processed by Change Healthcare; UnitedHealthcare medical, dental and vision providers; and providers who have exhausted all available connectivity options – or are in the process of implementing workarounds – and are working with other payers who have chosen not to advance funds while the Change systems are unavailable,” UnitedHealth Group said. said on its website, including other information and tutorials to help medical providers affected by the attack.