Written and medically reviewed by Dorcas Morak, Pharm.D
Over the past few weeks, many Americans have faced an unsettling reality: pharmacies nationwide have been unable to fulfill prescriptions due to a cyberattack on Change Healthcare. This critical healthcare company processes a staggering half of all medical claims in the U.S., making the attack's impact far-reaching.
Change Healthcare Outage: A Domino Effect on Pharmacies
The attack, first detected on February 21, 2024, disrupted Change Healthcare's systems responsible for processing insurance claims for prescriptions. This vital function acts as a bridge between pharmacies, doctors, and insurance companies. Without it, pharmacies are left in the dark regarding insurance coverage and authorization, effectively halting prescription fulfillment. The outage has been dubbed a "fiasco" by some pharmacies, highlighting the immense disruption it has caused. Patients across the country have reported delays and, in some cases, complete inability to obtain their medications. This poses a significant risk, particularly for those who rely on life-saving prescriptions.
How Prescription Discount Providers Were Impacted
The Change Healthcare outage extended beyond traditional insurance. Many prescription discount providers were impacted by the disruption to Change Healthcare's systems used to verify eligibility and process discounts. This meant that even for patients without traditional insurance, pharmacies were unable to utilize these programs to reduce medication costs.
What Pharmacies Are Affected?
Unfortunately, the impact of the Change Healthcare outage has been widespread. Due to the company's dominant role in healthcare claims processing, it's safe to say that a vast majority of pharmacies have been affected. Reports suggest disruptions have occurred nationwide, impacting independent pharmacies, large chains, and even state-run Medicaid programs. The ongoing question on many minds is: "Is Change Healthcare still down?" While the company has made strides towards restoring services, some systems remain offline. This leaves pharmacies struggling to adapt and manage the backlog of unprocessed claims.
Navigating Prescription Delays During the Outage
If you've encountered difficulties filling your prescriptions due to the Change Healthcare outage, here are some steps you can take:
- Contact your doctor's office: Explain the situation and inquire if they can provide alternative solutions, such as issuing a paper prescription or contacting the pharmacy directly on your behalf.
- Call your pharmacy: Pharmacies are working diligently to navigate the situation, and some may be able to offer temporary solutions while awaiting claim authorization.
- Consider alternative pharmacies: If your usual pharmacy is experiencing significant delays, inquire with other pharmacies in your area to see if they can process your prescription.
One Option to Navigate Delays: RxLess Assurance Plan
While traditional insurance verification and many discount programs were affected by the outage, RxLess offers a different approach. Unlike some programs that rely on Change Healthcare's systems, RxLess has successfully implemented backup routing. This means RxLess can now process new and prior claims for any pharmacy connected to a switch other than Change Healthcare.
In simpler terms: If your pharmacy uses a system besides Change Healthcare to process claims, the RxLess Assurance Plan can help you access real-time, accurate discounts on your prescription medications, even during disruptions like the recent cyberattack.
Staying Informed and Avoiding Future Disruptions
Reliable information during this time can be crucial. It's best to consult trustworthy sources like your doctor's office, local news outlets, and official statements from Change Healthcare, or check back here for updates.
The Change Healthcare cyberattack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the healthcare system. While the company works towards full restoration, it highlights the importance of communication and collaboration between patients, doctors, pharmacies, and either your insurance or prescription discount provider during such disruptions.
By staying informed, proactive, and working together, we can weather this challenge and ensure everyone has timely access to the medications they need.
If you've encountered any issues, please contact our customer service team by calling 1-844-479-5377 or by chatting with us on our website below so we can help.
We're committed to assisting you in filling your prescriptions and ensuring you receive the savings you need.
Secure your peace of mind by joining the RxLess Assurance Plan. Download our no-cost app today to avoid this issue from happening again!
