Change Healthcare has been hit by a cyberattack that is causing network disruptions expected to last at least through Thursday.
The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, which provides data analytics and revenue cycle management, first reported network disruptions early Wednesday morning before linking it to a cybersecurity issue later that afternoon.
Related: Healthcare data breaches hit new highs in 2023
“Once we became aware of the outside threat, in the interest of protecting our partners and patients, we took immediate action to disconnect our systems to prevent further impact,” Change Healthcare wrote on its status webpage.
The company said it expects the disruption to last “at least through the day" and it hasn't affected any other UnitedHealth Group systems, according to an update shared Thursday morning.
Pharmacies have reportedly felt the effects of network disruptions following the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Pigeon, Michigan-based Scheurer Health told the Huron Daily Tribune Wednesday the provider couldn't process prescriptions through patients’ insurance. According to the report, the health system typically sends prescription information to Change Healthcare, which sends it to payers.
Data show the healthcare industry is a prime target for cyberattacks. Last year, more than 133 million people were affected by healthcare data breaches in the U.S., setting a record for the most affected since data was first collected in 2010.
An Optum spokesperson declined to share additional information about the attack, including its source, and instead directed Modern Healthcare to the status webpage.
In 2022, UnitedHealth Group paid cash and assumed debt to acquire Change Healthcare in a deal totaling $13 billion. The technology company was incorporated into its Optum brand. Optum touted the deal as a way to simplify clinical, administrative and payment processes.
