The recent Change Healthcare cyberattack crippled a key player in healthcare revenue cycle management under UnitedHealth Group’s Optum, causing significant disruptions for dentists nationwide. The attack has cast a spotlight on the need for robust cybersecurity measures in dental practices.
Dr. Steven Freeman, DDS, of Elite Smiles in St. Augustine, Florida, details the chaos this attack unleashed at his own dental practice. Their ability to submit claims electronically and send prescriptions digitally came to a halt and forced them to find new vendors, a process that was costly and caused further delays. Dr. Freeman stresses the importance of dental practices taking cybersecurity seriously, urging them to prioritize strong defenses to avoid similar headaches.
SOURCE: Becker’s Dental