The attack highlights the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks on the U.S. health system, which have surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent report by PYMNTS Intelligence noted that the share of financial institutions using AI and machine learning technologies to combat fraud and financial crimes has risen from 34% to 70% between 2022 and 2023. This adoption of advanced technologies is seen as a positive step towards addressing increasingly complex attacks.
Key takeaways:
- A cyberattack on Change Healthcare, owned by UnitedHealthcare, has affected several pharmacies, causing network interruptions and outages.
- The company took immediate action to disconnect their systems to prevent further impact and believes the issue is specific to Change Healthcare, with all other systems across UnitedHealth Group remaining operational.
- Pharmacies in Michigan, such as Scheurer Health, have reported being unable to process prescriptions through patients' insurance due to the cyberattack.
- The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks on the health system highlights the need for enhanced security systems, with a significant increase in financial institutions using AI and machine learning technologies to combat fraud and financial crimes.