Attention Providers: Update on Phased Restoration of Change Healthcare Systems

Mar 28, 2024

MaineCare continues to advise providers to submit documentation electronically to avoid delays in items submitted by mail and/or fax, following the disruption related to the national cyber security issue with Change Healthcare. Operations to process paper claims resumed on March 26, 2024, and we are targeting the end of April 2024 to address outstanding paper claims.

We also understand that some providers who relied on Change Healthcare to submit electronic claims to MaineCare may now be looking to change their clearinghouse for EDI claim/eligibility verification transactions. Please see our previous e-message for steps and resources for providers to make this change. 

For questions, please contact Provider Services at 1-866-690-5585.  

Supporting pharmacies during restoration:

As announced Wednesday, MaineCare successfully initiated the first phase of a phased restoration of Maine Point of Purchase System (MePOPS) on March 27, 2024.

We are asking all prescribing providers to partner with us to continue to support pharmacies and our members during this phased restoration. Important details for providers to note:

• Please refer to the MaineCare Preferred Drug List when prescribing to MaineCare members.
• E-prescribing services have been restored; use electronic prescriptions to facilitate the prescription workflow at pharmacies. 
• Change Healthcare is currently unable to accept Prior Authorizations (PAs) and we are waiving this requirement for prescription medications during this time.

Resources for all service providers:

Optum is providing a Temporary Funding Assistance Program for providers impacted by the disruption of Change Healthcare’s services: https://www.optum.com/en/business/providers/health-systems/payments-lending-solutions/optum-pay/temporary-funding-assistance.html

You may find a letter of recognition from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Labor here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/03/10/letter-to-health-care-leaders-on-cyberattack-on-change-healthcare.html