CMS joins roundtable on cyberattack

WASHINGTON – CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure participated in a roundtable with senior administration leaders to hear from health care providers about the challenges they are facing following the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. 

At the roundtable, CMS announced that it will be issuing guidance that will provide needed flexibilities to allow states to support Medicaid providers and suppliers during this time, particularly those operating in fee-for-service delivery systems. 

“CMS recognizes that many Medicaid providers are deeply affected by the cyberattack,” the agency stated. “We are continuing to work closely with states and are urging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments to impacted providers. Medicaid managed care plans do not need CMS authority make prospective payments to providers and suppliers who need them; we are encouraging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments as soon as possible.” 

This announcement follows a March 9 announcement that, in addition to considering applications for accelerated payments for Medicare Part A providers, CMS will also be considering applications for advance payments for Part B practitioners and suppliers. Medicare Part A providers and Part B practitioners and suppliers may submit accelerated or advance payment requests to their respective Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for individual consideration. 

Change Healthcare expects to begin testing and reestablishing connectivity to its claims network and software on March 18, restoring service through that week. It expects its electronic payment functionality will be available for connection beginning March 15.