Barbara McAnany of the New Mexico Cancer Center said she has had to change the way she works because of a series of ransomware attacks on Optum and United Healthcare. “This is an important development for all healthcare organizations in the country,” McCarney said. Optum becoming one of their partners has affected many of the services they offer. “Our ability to verify if a patient is authorized by their insurance no longer requires them to get a prescription or receive treatment,'' McAnee said. The attack on Optum also left the center unable to submit claims or receive payments. Tech experts wonder how attacks like this continue to impact the healthcare industry. “This is interesting considering the impact has been so large that you would think we might have turned the corner years ago and started ramping up cyberattacks.”Cancer, New Mexico The center had no information compromised and was not a victim of this ransomware attack. But McAneney is concerned about other practices in the state and how this will affect people's ability to pick up prescriptions, and whether personal information is being stolen through other providers. Other groups affected by these ransomware attacks include UnitedHealth and Change Healthcare. “Anyone who writes a prescription or visits a doctor, dentist or other health care provider is at risk of having their personal information stolen,” McAneney said. In the wake of the latest attack, she suggested this to calm those seeking help with cancer. “We're going to treat patients the same way we always have,'' McAnany said. . The center said it can still fill prescriptions in-house, but cannot send orders to outside pharmacies.
Barbara McAnany of the New Mexico Cancer Center said she has had to change the way she works because of a series of ransomware attacks on Optum and United Healthcare.
“This is an important development for all healthcare organizations in the country,” McEnany said.
Since Optum is one of our partners, many services provided by Optum are affected.
“The ability to verify whether a patient's insurance allows them to receive a prescription or treatment is gone,” McAneney said.
The attack on Optum also left the center unable to submit claims or receive payments. Technology experts are wondering how such attacks will continue to impact the healthcare industry.
“This is interesting given the impact is so large that you would think we would have turned the corner years ago and started ramping up our cybersecurity programs in this area.” said Deron Grzetic.
New Mexico Cancer Center had no information compromised and was not a victim of this ransomware attack. But McAneney is concerned about other practices in the state and how this will affect people's ability to pick up prescriptions and whether personal information is being stolen through other health care providers.
Other groups affected by these ransomware attacks include UnitedHealth and Change Healthcare.
“Anyone who writes a prescription or visits a doctor, dentist or other health care provider is at risk of having their personal information stolen,” McAneny said.
Following this attack, she suggested this to calm those seeking help at cancer centers.
“We're going to treat patients the same way we always have,” McCarney said.
She said the center can still fill prescriptions in-house, but cannot send orders to outside pharmacies.
