Providers Push Health Plans for Coverage Approvals After Hack (1)

Health industry costs and consternation continued to rise Thursday following the Change Healthcare cyberattack.

Research by technology services company Kodiak Solutions estimates the breach is costing hospitals more than $2 billion a week in lost cash flow.

The Health and Human Services Department is fielding requests for advance Medicare payments from hospitals and clinicians affected by the breach. They’re also urging Medicare and Medicaid managed care plans to suspend or relax requirements for “prior authorization,” or plan approval, before certain health services are reimbursed.

“It is time for health plans to step up by suspending prior authorization requirements, waiving timely ...