ALCOAST 130/24 - MAR 2024 CHANGEHEALTHCARE (CHC) CYBER ATTACK EFFECTS RESULTING IN DELAYS TO PRESCIPTION PROCESSING

R 201601Z MAR 24 MID600117292803U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 130/24
SSIC 6570
SUBJ: CHANGEHEALTHCARE (CHC) CYBER ATTACK EFFECTS RESULTING IN
DELAYS TO PRESCIPTION PROCESSING
A. Pharmacy Operations and Drug Control, COMDINST 6000.10
1. On 21 Feb 2024, TRICARE's electronic prescription claim
processor, Change Healthcare (CHC), was the victim of a cyber
attack, preventing U.S. military pharmacies worldwide from
processing prescriptions electronically. The effects of this
cyber attack are ongoing, and there is currently no anticipated
timeline for complete resolution. Additional information can be
found on the website below:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3684541/
change-healthcare-cyberattack-impact-on-mhs-pharmacy-operations

2. Coast Guard pharmacies are unaffected. Department of Defense
(DoD) pharmacies may experience processing delays, as prescription
processing is occurring manually, and all claims must be recorded
and reprocessed after the resolution of the current situation.
Certain specialty medications and medications requiring prior
authorization may not be available from DoD Military Treatment
Facilities (MTFs) or retail points of service.
3. Due to the outage, some civilian pharmacies may be unable to
submit the service member or family members' prescriptions for
payment to TRICARE. When civilian pharmacies are unable to submit
these claims to TRICARE, any beneficiary attempting to have
medications filled by a civilian pharmacy that normally accepts
TRICARE may be asked to pay the full cash price. TRICARE
beneficiaries are encouraged NOT to pay the cash price for
their prescriptions at civilian pharmacies. Beneficiaries who have
already paid cash for a prescription may submit a claim for
reimbursement by following the instructions at this website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacyclaims

There is no guarantee that TRICARE will retroactively reimburse
beneficiaries for these cash claims.
4. IAW REF (A), to mitigate barriers to access for pharmacy Services
for Coast Guard members and their families because of this service
outage, TRICARE-eligible dependents of active-duty Coast Guard
service members may have their prescriptions filled at a CG
pharmacy. In situations where medications are not available at CG
pharmacies due to market shortages or unavailability from the prime
vendor, a CG pharmacist will assist in navigating available methods
to have the prescription filled as quickly as possible during the
outage. CG pharmacies are not able to mail prescriptions directly
to active-duty family members.
5. Please contact your local CG Clinic pharmacy for information
regarding operating hours, and the availability of your prescription
medication, and further information regarding the outage.
6. POC: CAPT Christopher Janik (CG-1K21), 202-475-5171, Email:
Christopher.Janik@uscg.mil
7. POC: CAPT Benjamin C. Keller (HSWL SC), 757-628-4331, Email:
Benjamin.C.Keller@uscg.mil
8. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety,
and Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.