UnitedHealth is making struggling doctors repay loans issued after last year's cyberattack

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group is facing backlash from medical providers due to its aggressive demand for immediate repayment of loans issued after a significant cyberattack on its Change Healthcare unit, which disrupted cash flow for many practices [1][2][4]. Group 1: Cyberattack Impact - The cyberattack in February 2024 compromised data from approximately 190 million Americans, marking the largest healthcare breach in U.S. history, leading to severe disruptions in payment processes for healthcare providers [4][11]. - Many providers were left unable to receive payments for their services, forcing some to use personal savings to maintain operations [4][5]. Group 2: Loan Repayment Demands - UnitedHealth has begun demanding immediate repayment from borrowers, with some practices being asked to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars within days [2][20]. - The company reserves the right to withhold future payments to practices until the loans are recouped, which has raised concerns among providers [3][9]. Group 3: Provider Experiences - Providers like Dr. Christine Meyer reported significant financial strain, claiming her practice lost over $1 million in revenue due to the cyberattack and is unable to meet the repayment demands of$750,000 within five days [6][18]. - Other providers have shared similar frustrations, with some stating that they were already financially impacted by the cyberattack and are now facing additional pressure to repay loans [22][24]. Group 4: Company Statements and Actions - UnitedHealth's spokesperson confirmed that the process of recouping loans has begun, stating that the company is working with providers on repayment options [7][9]. - CEO Andrew Witty previously indicated that repayment would only be required once providers confirmed their cash flow was normalized, a statement that has been contradicted by the current demands for immediate repayment [5][17].