National cyber breach impacts RRH vendor

A February ransomware attack that compromised Designed Receivable Solutions Inc., a vendor of Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, has created significant disruptions and delays related to client billing and account management.

The attack is similar but unrelated to the cyber attack that compromised Change Healthcare, which officials are calling the most consequential cyberattack in American History. While Change Healthcare has not yet concluded its investigation or notified patients, DRSI released statements last week that point impacted patients to a call center for questions and concerns.

After examining the scope and nature of the breach, DRSI confirmed that the affected files included names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and other personal details relating to insurance and healthcare billing — although there is no indication that information was misused.

Although the data breach did not impact RRH records, the attack has created disruptions and delays relating to billing. These include:

• Inability to obtain authorizations for medical care and prescriptions
• Inability to send out bills to insurance companies or statements to patients
• Delays in payments, inability to take payments or accurately apply payments to patient records.

Until the flow of accurate information and payments is restored, RRH will remain limited in their ability to track that information.

DRSI has established a website call center at (833) 961-7183 for patients impacted patients to call with their questions and concerns.

“Although we do not have any direct involvement in these cyberattacks, we want our patients to know that we are doing everything we can to facilitate finding answers and solutions so that we can continue taking care of our community,” said Michelle Whalley, RRH clinic administrator.

“I would encourage you to contact DRSI directly if you have questions or concerns. Likewise, when we receive information from Change Healthcare we will also share that information.”