On Feb. 21, 2024, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of the UnitedHealth Group Optum unit, experienced a cyber-attack causing nationwide outages impacting payors, physician practices and other providers and pharmacies. A recent AMA survey reveals that 36% of physician practice respondents have experienced a suspension of claims payments, with 32% still unable to submit claims.

While some respondents reported utilizing the advance payments, temporary funding assistance, and loans, many remain unaware of the no cost financial assistance available to them.

Physician practices can access assistance through advance payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and short-term, no-cost loans from the Optum Temporary Funding Assistance Program. If the Optum “check funding eligibility” tool does not show a sufficient amount of funds to cover needs, practices can submit a request through the “temporary funding assistance inquiry form” or contact Optum at (877) 702-3253.

The California Medical Association (CMA) is here to support physician practices facing hardships due to the Change Healthcare cyberattack and has already assisted practices navigate the crisis.

Contact: CMA’s Center for Economic Services (800) 786-4262 or economicservices@cmadocs.org.