The Change Healthcare cyberattack was a significant event that caught many off guard, said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, reiterating the agency’s commitment to supporting impacted hospitals. Brooks-LaSure stated the Administration is listening to stakeholders and when possible, facilitating solutions, noting the importance of meeting the needs of providers.

In addition, Brooks-LaSure celebrated important improvements CMS made to promote greater transparency for prior authorization criteria. CMS took steps earlier this year finalizing new regulations to streamline and reduce burden associated with the prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service and managed care programs for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.  

CMS continues to hear from patients and providers over some commercial insurer prior authorization denials and delays, Brooks-LaSure said, noting that the volume of frustration has “just exploded.” The private sector, she said, has an opportunity to step up with solutions of their own to address concerns.

“I've told the health plans this: it doesn't have to all be regulated [by the federal government], there may be things that they can do,” Brooks-LaSure said. 

Related News Articles

Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced it has identified a fraud scheme targeting Medicare providers and suppliers. CMS said scammers…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services June 23 announced an initiative coordinated with multiple health insurance companies to streamline prior…
Headline
A report released June 17 by NORC at the University of Chicago, commissioned by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, found that patients enrolled…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services May 30 released a notice requesting comments on a proposed Medicare Advantage service level data collection…
Headline
The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Australian Cyber Security Centre June 4 released an advisory on updated actions and tactics used…
Headline
The Government Accountability Office May 29 released a report recommending the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services target behavioral health services…