Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident: Disruptions to BCBS claims
Thursday, March 7, 2024
As many are aware - on Feb. 21st, there was a major cyberattack to Change Healthcare, which is the clearinghouse used by BCBS-MA for direct claims submissions. This has resulted in the BCBS ConnectCenter being inaccessible, and no way to submit claims directly to BCBS at this time through the Change Healthcare clearinghouse.
This outage has affected healthcare providers of all kinds across the country. We are following the situation closely, and are in frequent contact with BCBSMA.
Information here on the attack and response. (The post is from United Health Group, which owns Change Healthcare - but note that there is no connection or disruption to BH services through United Healthcare/Optum)
BCBSMA has the following statement on their Provider Central site:
We understand that the cybersecurity incident at Change Healthcare is leading to significant disruption to routine business interactions between some health care providers and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
We want you to know that you have alternative options to submit claims, request authorization and referrals, and to check member eligibility and benefits. We recommend that you pursue one of the options offered below as an alternative while Change Healthcare’s systems are unavailable. We do not know how long the event at Change Healthcare will interrupt their service to you.
Here are some ideas to share at this time, as we continue to follow the situation closely.
Some providers have reported being able to use their existing EHR to submit claims successfully. Others who regularly use clearinghouses other than Change Healthcare have been able to submit BCBS claims in that way. For those without an existing connection with an EHRs or clearinghouse, there is the option to establish an account - potentially through a short-term free trial, or at a monthly rate for the duration of this situation
The other alternative is to send paper claims Be sure to purchase and use the original red HCFA / 1500 forms Can purchase software to fill out form online, and print directly onto the forms Forms can be handwritten, if very clearly printed in black ink There will be longer delay with paper claims (they are advising 30-45 days), but they will process, and will pay out through Payspan in the usual way More details and mailing address on the BCBS page
BCBS has stated that while they will accept paper claims, they strongly encourage providers to utilize other clearinghouses. BCBS announced on March 7th that they would waive timely filing limits at this time. Keep watching the BCBS page for any changes on that.
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