CMS to shut down Medicare funding program following cyberattack

In a June 17 press release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is preparing to close the Optum Healthcare Change/Payment Disruption Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program (CHOPD) on July 12, 2024.

The CHOPD program was launched in early March to alleviate cash flow disruptions experienced by Medicare providers and suppliers, including hospitals, pharmacies and physicians, following the Change Healthcare ransomware attack in February.

According to the press release, “Expedited CHOPD payments have been provided to more than 4,200 Part A providers, such as hospitals, totaling more than $2.55 billion. CMS also issued 4,722 CHOPD advances, totaling more than $717.18 million, to Part B providers, including physicians, non-physician practitioners, and suppliers of durable medical equipment.

“In the face of one of the most widespread cyberattacks on the U.S. healthcare industry, CMS quickly took action to allow providers and suppliers access to the funds they needed to continue providing care vital to patients,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a statement. statement. “Our efforts have helped minimize the disruptive consequences of this incident, and we will remain vigilant to be prepared for future events. »

CMS said it has already recovered more than 96 percent of CHOPD payments. Providers are currently successfully billing Medicare again.