CMS issues guidance to help states make interim Medicaid payments to providers impacted by Change Healthcare attack

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services March 15 announced flexibilities to help states initiate interim Medicaid payments to health care providers impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack. This includes the option for states to start making interim payments for affected claims retroactively to the date when claims processing was disrupted as soon as the state submits an appropriate state plan amendment.

Additionally, CMS is reopening until April 15 the 2023 Merit-based Incentive Payment System Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application to provide relief to clinicians impacted by the attack.