‘I don’t see this changing anytime soon’: Tampa Bay area pharmacy owner describes cyberattack fallout
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It’s been more than a month since a cyberattack on the nation’s largest healthcare payment system.
This week, United Health Group is reporting some progress in its Change Healthcare platform, but the full recovery will be slow.
“Change Healthcare will begin releasing medical claims preparation software, an important step in the resumption of services,” said United Health Group in a statement.
However, there’s worry the fallout will continue to impact medical providers and pharmacies for many more weeks.
“I don’t see this changing anytime soon,” said George Hanna, CEO and president of 1st Choice Pharmacy.
“They say ‘there’s light at the end of the tunnel,’ it’s what we’re promised, but I still don’t see that happening within the next two or three weeks.”
Several pharmacies across the country are not able to process discount cards, causing patients to face sky-high retail prices for medicine.
The high price is driving some patients away from filling their prescriptions altogether.
However, Hanna is doing what he can to help.
“I want to make sure the patients continue their medications,” said Hanna. “We’re in good faith giving them medication until we’re able to transmit those claims.”
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