UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, may have interacted with you or your data even if they are not your health insurance provider. UnitedHealth Group is not only the largest insurer but also the largest employer of physicians in the country. Additionally, the company owns pharmacies and home health agencies. Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, processes over 40 percent of the medical claims in the United States, serving as an important “information superhighway” in the healthcare industry.
In February, hackers breached Change Healthcare’s system in what is being called the largest cyberattack in American healthcare history. This attack disrupted health payments and compromised patient information, causing widespread chaos and affecting healthcare providers nationwide, particularly in rural areas. The full extent of the impact of the breach is still unknown, and efforts to fully resolve the issue are ongoing.
As a result of the cyberattack, Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, testified before Congress for the first time in over 15 years. During hearings with House and Senate committees, Witty faced tough questions about the security vulnerabilities in the system and concerns about the size and influence of UnitedHealth Group in the healthcare industry. These events have sparked broader discussions about the operations and regulation of healthcare in the United States.
The information in this report was produced by Elana Gordon, edited by Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sean Carter, with additional contributions from Stephen Smith. To stay updated on news and developments, subscribe to The Washington Post for the latest updates.