Change Healthcare’s cyberattack impacting dental practices

ADA advises contacting payers, software vendors for alternate solutions

A Feb. 21 cyber attack affecting Change Healthcare, one of the largest health care technology companies in the United States, is impacting dental, medical and pharmaceutical organizations. 

The cyber event is preventing some pharmacies from processing prescriptions and some dentists from sending electronic claims and attachments to insurance companies to receive payment, according to a statement from United Concordia Dental.

“Change Healthcare is experiencing a cyber security issue, and our experts are working to address the matter,” according to a Change Healthcare statement posted on its website on Feb. 22. “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. At this time, we believe the issue is specific to Change Healthcare and all other systems across UnitedHealth Group are operational.”

The ADA encourages impacted providers watch for communication from vendors and payers regarding restoration of services. Providers should seek alternate options including using payer portals or provider service lines for eligibility and benefits verification, asking vendors for alternative clearinghouse options, and carefully tracking claims, or consider using paper claim forms until services are restored. 

A variety of content focusing on HIPAA, digital record security and record-keeping software systems in dental practices is available at ADA.org/topic/cyber-security.