UnitedHealth Group Inc. has disclosed that a significant amount of personal information may have been compromised in a cyberattack on its Change Healthcare business earlier this year. The company’s statement on Monday indicated that the potential impact could be far-reaching, affecting a ‘substantial portion of people in America.’ However, UnitedHealth emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest that complete medical histories or doctor charts were accessed during the breach. Despite the limited information available, the company is undertaking a thorough investigation to identify and notify individuals whose data may have been compromised. This process is expected to take several months, and UnitedHealth has established a dedicated website and call center to provide support and answer questions. Additionally, the company is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to those affected by the attack. The cyberattack in question occurred in February, when a ransomware group infiltrated the systems of Change Healthcare, a subsidiary that processes insurance claims. The incident caused widespread disruptions in payment and claims processing, creating significant challenges for healthcare providers. Federal authorities, including civil rights investigators, are already looking into the matter to determine if protected health information was exposed. UnitedHealth’s ongoing focus is on restoring the services affected by the attack, prioritizing those that impact patient access to care and medication. The company reported that pharmacy services and medical claims processing have resumed to near-normal levels, while payment processes are currently operating at approximately 86% of pre-attack capacity. In its recent first-quarter financial report, UnitedHealth revealed that it provided over $6 billion in advance funding and interest-free loans to support healthcare providers impacted by the attack. The company incurred an $872 million loss in the first quarter due to the incident, and projections indicate that the total cost could exceed $1.5 billion for the year. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group Inc. is one of the nation’s leading health insurers and healthcare providers. Its comprehensive services include pharmacy benefits management, care delivery, and technology solutions. In the stock market, UnitedHealth shares experienced a slight increase of 91 cents during late-morning trading on Tuesday, mirroring the upward trend of broader market indexes.
UnitedHealth: Cyberattack May Have Exposed Sensitive Data of ‘Substantial Portion’ of Americans
