Change Cyberattack Could Open Americans Up To Multiple Notifications Of Breach
We don’t know yet if Change’s breach will be a record. But based on the 6 terabyte report of compromise as well as the breadth of the Change system, it very well could be. United is reporting that it may be hard to tell who was impacted by the breach. Further, because of Change’s tentacles in the market with providers and payers, it could be that people are notified multiple times from different providers and a payer that their data was impacted. There could be hundreds of millions (even billions) of notifications. This will cause mass confusion.
In other events, United seems to be complaining that some insurers and providers are slow to reconnect to Change systems, which is needed to get the flow of information and claims. Some complain that they do not know yet if Change is secure. They are testing and obtaining independent verification. Also, some argue that reconnecting is difficult as certain systems are still down. Article here: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/cybersecurity/change-healthcare-update-unitedhealth-reconnect
This other article speaks to the continuing fallout and issues with systems, even those that have been restored. Things are not business as usual: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/change-healthcare-update-networks-issues
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#changehealthcare #cyberattacks
Some Major Insurers Will Cover GLP-1s For Cardiovascular Disease
In light of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of GLP-1 Wegovy for use in certain circumstances for people with cardiovascular disease, CVS Health’s Aetna, Elevance Health and Kaiser Permanente said they would cover the drug in Medicare. Elevance Health said that coverage will also be extended to people enrolled in its commercial plans. Other insurers are reviewing the FDA approval.
#weightlossdrugs #medicare #partd
Walgreens Bleeding Due To VillageMD Fiasco
Walgreens reported a steep quarterly loss due to a nearly $6 billion write-down in the value of primary care clinic chain VillageMD. It has been shuttering clinics across the U.S. Walgreens will close about half of all clinics (160) to right itself. It has also had layoffs.
Additional articles: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/retail/walgreens-takes-6b-hit-q2-villagemd-investment and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/walgreens-villagemd-closing-clinics
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#walgreens #primarycare
Biden Administration Reins In So-Called Junk Health Plans
The Biden administration’s final rule will modify a series of short-term, limited-duration plans to four months instead of three years. In addition, a person cannot repurchase such a plan from the same insurer within a one-year period. These plans supposedly help individuals transition from one type of coverage to another. The rule will also mandate insurers disclose key facts about the plans on all marketing, application and enrollment materials. Fixed indemnity plans will also be required to follow the disclosure requirements.
Additional articles here: https://www.modernhealthcare.com/government/short-term-junk-health-insurance-hhs-rule and https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/admin-limits-short-term-plans-punts-fixed-indemnity
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#coverage #healthplans
Exchange Special Redetermination Enrollment Period Extended
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the temporary special enrollment period for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program members who lose coverage to enroll with a federal marketplace insurer. They now have until Nov. 30 to transition to a marketplace plan. The original deadline was July 31. State exchanges are expected to mimic the change. By then, the Medicaid redetermination process should be complete. This is a wise thing for the Biden administration to do.
Additional article: https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/medicaid-unwinding-special-enrollment-window-extended-through-nov-30
Press release: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-takes-additional-actions-help-people-stay-covered-during-medicaid-and-chip-renewals
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#medicaid #redeterminations #chip #medicaid #exchanges
— Marc S. Ryan
