ATLANTA – Change Healthcare, a leading healthcare technology company in the United States, is grappling with the aftermath of a recent cyberattack that has sent shockwaves through pharmacies nationwide. The breach disclosed, has significantly hampered the company’s ability to process orders and patient payments, resulting in widespread disruption.
The cyber assault has caused a ripple effect throughout the healthcare system, leaving pharmacies struggling to fulfill prescriptions as they are unable to verify patient insurance coverage or determine copayment amounts. This disruption has created substantial distress among pharmacists and patients alike.
Jonathan Marquess, Vice President of the Academy of Independent Pharmacy in Georgia, conveyed the toll this situation has taken on healthcare providers. “Sweat is beading up on my forehead,” Marquess expressed, shedding light on the stress and frustration experienced by the pharmacy community. He described the ordeal as “an incredibly stressful couple of days” while staying in continuous communication with the academy’s 400 members.
The impact of the cyberattack extends beyond mere administrative hurdles, directly affecting patients’ access to essential medications. Pharmacists are currently unable to confirm patients’ insurance coverage or determine copayment details, resulting in delays in dispensing potentially life-saving drugs. Marquess explained, “You’re not able to guarantee benefits, you can’t see what their current co-pay is, you’re not even able to see if they’re covered by insurance.”
Change Healthcare promptly acknowledged the cybersecurity issue early, taking immediate action to disconnect its systems and mitigate further damage. The company is actively working towards resolving the issue and aims to restore full functionality by Friday.
In the absence of critical information, pharmacists like Marquess find themselves grappling with challenging decisions about how to provide necessary medications to patients. “It makes a tough decision for a pharmacist to make,” Marquess remarked.
