Audet & Partners, LLP is actively investigating claims related to the recent Optum cyberattack that has significantly impacted healthcare providers, pharmacy services, and revenue cycle operations. This Optum lawsuit focuses on service providers potentially affected by the cyberattack that targeted Change Healthcare and Optum, both of which are subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group. The breach has caused widespread disruption in healthcare operations, raising legal concerns about data security and business continuity.

Overview of the Optum Cyberattack

The Optum cyberattack has disrupted critical functions in the healthcare sector. Change Healthcare, which processes more than 15 billion healthcare transactions annually and handles data for one in every three patient records, depends on Optum for payment processing and other essential clinical and administrative operations. The breach has affected healthcare providers’ ability to receive payments, verify insurance coverage, submit prior authorization requests, and exchange clinical records. In addition to operational disruptions, patients have reported difficulties accessing prescriptions and paying for medications, raising serious health and safety concerns.

The Optum cyberattack has led to ongoing investigations into potential violations of federal and state laws. Healthcare organizations like Optum and Change Healthcare are legally required to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access or disclosure. The failure to protect this sensitive data could result in claims of negligence, breach of duty, and violations of privacy laws.

Potential Legal Claims Arising from the Optum Cyberattack

As part of the ongoing Optum lawsuit, affected healthcare providers may have the opportunity to seek compensation for damages resulting from the Optum cyberattack. Key issues that may give rise to legal claims include:

• Disruption of Payment Processing: Many healthcare providers have faced challenges receiving payments from both patients and insurers due to the outage.
• Data Security Breach: The cyberattack has raised concerns about the unauthorized access to sensitive patient data, which may lead to claims of data breaches and violations of HIPAA and other privacy laws.
• Operational Delays: Providers have experienced delays in verifying coverage, submitting prior authorizations, and exchanging clinical records, causing a negative impact on patient care.
• Patient Health Risks: Patients have reported difficulties obtaining prescriptions and paying for medications, putting their health at risk due to the Optum cyberattack.

Legal Obligations and Data Breach Implications

Healthcare organizations like Optum and Change Healthcare are obligated under federal and state laws, including HIPAA, to ensure the security and confidentiality of patient data. Any failure to protect this information from unauthorized access, as occurred in the Optum cyberattack, may expose these companies to legal claims for negligence and breach of duty. Affected parties may be eligible to participate in the Optum lawsuit and seek compensation for the damages caused by the cyberattack.

Contact Audet & Partners, LLP for Legal Assistance

If you have been affected by the Optum cyberattack or the Change Healthcare outage and are interested in exploring your legal options, you may have a valid claim for damages. Audet & Partners, LLP is currently offering free, confidential case evaluations to healthcare providers and other impacted parties. You can contact us by completing our confidential inquiry form or calling us directly at 800-965-1461.

For more information about the ongoing Optum cyberattack and its legal implications, you can also explore the following resources:

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Information on the importance of safeguarding against cyberattacks in healthcare.

HIPAA Privacy Rule Overview – Learn more about patient privacy and data protection laws.