Hack poses financial problems for community health centers

Providers have also said while they appreciate the assistance, the amount being offered is small compared with how much they are experiencing in unpaid claims.

Hilliard said UnitedHealth Group has offered money, and while it came quickly, it is less than 10% of what is being held up in claims right now.

Peggy Anderson, president and CEO of Third Street Family Health Services, based in Mansfield, Ohio, said revenue dropped from an average of $650,000 per week to $180,000 per week.

“That’s a pretty significant loss for us not knowing when things will be up and running again,” she said.

Third Street Family Health Services was able to get approved for $100,000 in assistance from Optum, $80,000 of which has come through so far. The center has been able to use some of its cash on hand and took out a line of credit.

“While the $100,000 is wonderful, we’re close to a million dollars now that’s just sitting there, and that’s revenue that we fully anticipated getting in,” Anderson said. She hopes policymakers recognize the need for a “safety net” system that can back up critical health care providers when emergencies like this happen in the future.

Some providers have had more luck.

Berinna Doggett, executive vice president of health care and community resources for So Others Might Eat, which has two health care clinics in Washington, D.C., said they have switched clearinghouses and received checks from Medicaid managed care plans over the past few weeks.

The problem occurs if insurers haven’t switched clearinghouses. Also, the process can move slowly.

“It’s minimal. It’s nowhere where we were,” Doggett said.