Cyberattack Aftermath – Loan Repayment Pressure from Optum – Are You Impacted?

In February 2024, Change Healthcare, the medical claims clearinghouse and payment processor of the UnitedHealth Group, experienced a cyberattack.  As a result, many physicians and practices experienced a disruption in claims payment which resulted in a serious cashflow dilemma for many.

In response to the ransomware attack and the resulting revenue cycle impact, UnitedHealth Group, via their subsidiary Optum, initiated a temporary financial assistance program whereby no-interest loans were offered to help physicians and practices survive the resulting cashflow challenges.  The basic terms of the loan agreement were that repayment would be expected 45 days following the claims processing system being restored with deadline flexibility for practices finding it difficult to return to financial stability.

It has come to our attention that Optum is applying pressure on those with outstanding loans to make repayment while they are still dealing with unresolved claims from the cyberattack disruption.  We are aware that some practices have received notices from Optum threatening to recover outstanding loan balances through recoupments.

Are you among the practices that have received these notices?  Through collaboration with the American Medical Association, we are trying gauge the impact of the Optum’s aggressive loan recovery effort and would ask that you respond to share your experience if have received such notification.  Please use the link below to respond.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HQNQTMC

Thank you for responding.