Connecticut health plans have decided to work with Manchester-based Eastern Connecticut Health Network to mitigate the effect of billing issues from a cyberattack in early August, according to CT Insider.
Deborah Weymouth, CEO of ECHN, said in an October letter to Gov. Ned Lamont that health insurers declined to provide cash advances or pro-ration adjustments for rate increases or extend the time needed to submit bills while the system recovered from the ransomware attack, which forced the system's hospitals offline.
The system's three hospitals were already experiencing financial challenges before the attack halted billing operations for six weeks. In the Dec. 18 CT Insider report, Susan Halpin, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Health Plans, said insurance carriers have "had discussions" with the hospitals and reported "good-faith initiatives offered and/or put in place."
Prospect Medical owns ECHN but has been planning to sell the hospitals to Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health. The sale has been delayed until the state approves a certificate of need.