by Guy Page

Vermont Medicaid recipients’ ability to fill prescriptions is being impeded by an ongoing cyberattack.

Change Healthcare, which operates Vermont’s Medicaid pharmacy claims system, experienced a significant cyber security issue this week which has impacted pharmacies and providers across Vermont and New England, the Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) said Friday, February 23.

WCAX reports that about 200,000 Vermonters may be affected by the cyberattack.

DVHA said that Optum Solutions, the parent company of Change Healthcare, is working to resolve the current service outages and continues to update the Department of Vermont Health Access. This outage is expected to continue through the weekend, and Optum has not provided a timeline for when full service will be restored.

The Department has issued instructions to Medicaid enrolled pharmacies, provides, and members on how to best maintain pharmacy access while this issue is ongoing. “We are committed to ensuring that all Vermonters are able to continue to access their prescriptions through Medicaid and are working directly with pharmacies across the state to minimize the impact of this outage,” DVHA said on February 23.

At this time, Change Healthcare has informed that Department that they do not believe any confidential member or patient information was compromised. The Department feels confident that this breach did not impact any State of Vermont systems directly, and that our State systems remain secure. Staff members within the Agencies of Human Services and Digital Services are working to resolve the developing situation.

“We are asking for patience from all our members and clinical professionals. The Department is working to ensure pharmacy access and we will keep all our members and partners informed as the situation continues to develop,” DVHA said.