Having a back up plan can prevent major revenue cycle disruptions.
Cyberattacks affect all of an organization’s operations, including revenue cycle, preventing them from submitting or processing claims and even processing payments. The recent Change Healthcare cyberattack is reportedly costing affecting pharmacies $100 million a day.
Heather Modjesky, board member for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, emphasizes the importance of having an established contingency plan in the event of a cyberattack.
In a resource article for the academy’s website, Modjesky recommended the following practice management tips in the event of a cybersecurity attack:
- Gather pertinent information, such as revenue and electronic funds transfer information and claims information, while establishing alternative claims flow measure for top payers.
- Acknowledge how long you can operate with the current cash flow.
- Contact your business insurance provider to inquire if your business interruption rider covers this form of disruption.
- Communicate daily with your practice management team and electronic health record vendor.
- Obtain CMS-1500 forms if not already readily available.
- Contact your government representatives and state societies.
In a previous article, Joi Lee, manager of cyber governance, risk, and compliance for Moffitt Cancer Center, spoke to HealthLeaders about cybersecurity becoming a priority in healthcare.
There’s still work to be done, and Lee said organizations should be proactive with their security measures; ideally, by developing a business continuity plan.
“We’re in the business of treating patients, so a lot of the time, if you don’t have people that are focused on this type of stuff and know its importance, it gets thrown by the wayside,” she explained. “It’s not important until you need it.”
In addition to having a contingency plan in place, it must be tested, and staff must be familiarized with it, Lee said.
Jasmyne Ray is the revenue cycle editor at HealthLeaders.