Michigan VA Benefits Attorney Jim Fausone Urges Veterans to Stay Vigilant After Change Healthcare Breach
September 09, 2024
Michigan veterans benefits law firm Legal Help for Veterans has urged veterans to be vigilant following a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, which processes payments for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients. The breach, which occurred in early 2024, may have compromised the private health information of millions of Americans, including up to 15 million veterans.
“The potential exposure of veterans’ medical histories and other data is a serious concern,” said Jim Fausone, VA benefits attorney at Legal Help for Veterans. “Veterans have entrusted their sensitive information to the VA, and it is vital for all parties involved to take strong measures to protect it. The lack of transparency from Change Healthcare regarding the specific data compromised is particularly troubling.”
Change Healthcare is a major payment processor that handles healthcare transactions in the United States. The company was targeted by a ransomware attack that crippled its systems, disrupting VA and military pharmacy operations nationwide. This caused delays in processing prescriptions and healthcare payments, impacting veterans’ healthcare access.
The hackers are believed to be the transnational criminal group BlackCat or ALPHV. They reportedly demanded a ransom of $22 million in bitcoin, which UnitedHealth Group, Change Healthcare’s parent company, paid to regain control of their systems.
While the full scope of the breach is still under investigation, UnitedHealth Group acknowledged that a “substantial proportion of people in America” may have had their data exposed. Thus far there has been no evidence of medical history details being stolen. However, determining the cyberattack’s impact and any related future issues may take months.
The VA has not yet confirmed if any veteran data was stolen, but the agency is reaching out to veterans and family members as a precaution. The agency emphasized its commitment to transparency and said it was working swiftly to protect veterans’ data.
Officials have also listed information on how former service members can protect themselves against fraud on the VA website. Change Healthcare offered to provide free credit monitoring to anyone whose data was breached in the hack.
“The VA’s proactive approach in notifying veterans and offering resources is a positive step,” said Fausone. “Veterans should not be left in the dark about their health care information. They deserve clear answers about the specific data that may be compromised and the timeline for determining the full impact of this breach. In the meantime, veterans should remain alert for any unusual activity or signs of identity theft.”
Legal Help for Veterans is dedicated to protecting veterans’ rights. Through skilled advocacy, the Michigan-based law firm assists former service members with accessing the benefits and support they are entitled to under the law. To learn more, visit https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/.