On Feb. 21, 2024, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group’s Optum unit, experienced a cyber-attack that resulted in nationwide outages affecting payors, providers and pharmacies. Optum is offering a temporary, short-term funding assistance program to help practices manage short-term cash flow needs as providers nationwide continue to be impacted by the cyberattack, which has caused interruption of numerous administrative and billing processes, including electronic claims submission and provider payments.

The Optum Temporary Funding Assistance Program provides no-cost loans to help bridge the gap in short-term cash flow needs for providers impacted by the disruption of Change Healthcare's services. Eligible providers include:

• UnitedHealthcare medical, dental and vision providers
• Providers who receive payments from payers that are processed by Change Healthcare
• Providers who have exhausted all available connection options or may be in the process of implementing technical workaround solutions and who work with a payer who has opted not to advance funds to providers during the period when Change Healthcare systems remain down

Funding is based on the difference between historical weekly claims/payments volume pre-disruption compared to weekly volume post-disruption. However, according to Optum, if the available funds are insufficient, practices can submit a request for additional assistance through the Temporary Funding Inquiry Form. Physician practices should review and understand the terms of the agreement before applying.

Optum has produced a 10-minute how-to video that provides and overview of the program and the process of applying for assistance.