Zydron: Change Healthcare Cyberattack exposes vulnerabilities in EM and risks of consolidation
By Courtney Zydron, MD, MBA
VACEP Secretary & President, Williamsburg Emergency Physicians Inc.
The recent Change Healthcare cyberattack and its aftermath continue to expose the vulnerabilities we face, particularly in emergency medicine.
As emergency physicians, we need to be aware of the potential class action lawsuits that are being discussed. It’s crucial to document your financial losses, recovery times, and how you were impacted by the Change attack, as this data may play a key role if legal actions move forward.
Zydron
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT concern. It’s about patient care, physician well-being, and the financial health of practices. The attack on Change, which is owned by UnitedHealthcare — also the parent company of Optum — underscores the risks that come with health care consolidation and vertical integration.
With so much of the industry controlled by a few major players, the impacts on individual practices and their ability to manage operations are profound. We must continue to advocate for better protections, not just to safeguard patient data but to ensure the operational resilience of our emergency departments.
What Can You Do Now?
Know Your Data: Document your financial and operational losses. Keep records of how long it took to recover.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on legal actions related to the breach.
Prepare: Ensure your cybersecurity protocols are up to date.
Has the Change Healthcare attack affected you? Let us know, and we'll share your experience to help advocacy efforts at the state and national levels.
