Following up on my previous email about Optum's cybersecurity attack:
- State Independent Evaluation of Optum Product?
The American Hospital Association recommended that, based on their own risk evaluations, organizations independently evaluate Optum's claims that related systems aren't impacted by the cyberattack. Optum's InfoMC claims processing system in Maryland is already subject to 8+ cybersecurity deficiencies identified by state auditors, and InfoMC accepted claims/pushed EDI files to Change Healthcare when used as a claims intermediary by clearinghouses and EMRs. Maryland has accepted Optum's claim that InfoMC isn't impacted but, given its known cybersecurity weaknesses, we are asking the state to independently evaluate Optum's claim that InfoMC isn't impacted. Curious to know if other states are doing independent evaluations too or if you're asking them to?
- Temporary Financial Assistance to Providers.
The American Hospital Association is asking the federal government for temporary financial assistance to hospitals as a result of the cyberattack. Behavioral health providers lack a direct federal payment mechanism and need to rely on states for financial assistance, and Maryland wasn't receptive to our initial outreach on this topic on Friday, but we are working to develop additional information on impact. If you are getting traction on any requests for temporary financial assistance, please let me know!
Shannon Hall, JD
(She/Her)
Executive Director
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Shannon Hall
Executive Director
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
Catonsville MD
410-788-1865 ext 2
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2024 13:37
From: Shannon Hall
Subject: Optum Cyberattack Communications?
While Optum's cyberattack has taken claims submission offline for providers and EMRs using Change Healthcare as an intermediary, we haven't heard anything from our state Optum contractors or Department of Health about how the cyberattack will impact Optum's claims processing for Maryland's public behavioral health system. In light of the AHA's statement yesterday advising providers to disconnect and independently evaluate their systems, we are concerned that the downtime may be significant. Have any other states communicated an estimated downtime to you or your members?
We're already facing payment delays and underpayments by Optum, on top of revenue garnishment for payback of pandemic estimated payments, so there is no margin to bear downtime here. I'm drafting a press release but the radio silence seems unusual. What are you hearing?
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Shannon Hall
Executive Director
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
Catonsville MD
410-788-1865 ext 2
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