API

Optum Real APIs for Medical Providers

APIs that enable real-time, automated exchange of eligibility, claims and payment data between providers and payers.

Optum Real gives providers access to patient eligibility, benefit, prior authorization and responsibility data across multiple payers in real time, reducing claim denials and improving the health care experience for patients.

Transparency

With real-time transparency into a patient’s eligibility data and coding validation, providers can improve the patient experience and reduce avoidable claim denials.

Efficiency

Access data across multiple payers through a single integration, relieving administrative burden and improving claim processing workflows.

Administrative cost savings

More accurate claim submission reduces administrative costs and expedites reimbursement.

Included modules

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    Optum Real Pre-Service Eligibility API

    With Real Pre-Service Eligibility, providers can submit real-time eligibility inquiries to payers before the patient’s visit. Through a centralized API, you can access real-time patient eligibility information across multiple payers within your existing EHR system. Spend less time chasing information and more time delivering a high-quality experience for your patients.

    Real Pre-Service Eligibility includes:

    • Eligibility information including patient demographic information, plan-level cost shares, plan coverage details and insurance details

    • Coordination of benefits including primacy and coverage details for each payer plan

    • Image of a patient’s insurance ID card

    • Provider in- and out-of-network status

    Real Pre-Service Eligibility is currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers are planned for future development. Please visit the developer portal for a list of supported payer IDs.

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    Optum Real Claim Pre-Check API

    With Real Claim Pre-Check, providers can submit real-time claim inquiries to payers prior to treatment. Through a centralized API, you can access claim processing information — like eligibility and prior authorization requirements — across multiple payers in real time. This allows you to identify and prevent denials before they occur.

    Real Claim Pre-Check includes:

    • X12 claim validation (HIPAA)

    • Membership coverage eligibility for the date of service

    • Coordination of benefits including primacy and coverage details

    • Prior authorization requirements and status

    • Adherence to payment and medical policies

    Real Claim Pre-Check is currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers are planned for future development. Please visit the developer portal for a list of supported payer IDs.

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    Optum Real Claim Inquiry API

    With Real Claim Inquiry, providers can receive real-time status updates on submitted claims. This centralized API gives you access to claim information — such as summaries, details and status updates — in real time, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding reconsideration requests and appeals more quickly to help reduce administrative burden. 

    Real Claim Inquiry includes:

    • Claim summaries and details

    • Status at the claim and service level

    • Available actions for reconsiderations and appeals at the service level

    • Download of associated documents

    Real Claim Inquiry is currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers are planned for future development. Please visit the developer portal for a list of supported payer IDs. 

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    Optum Real Patient Benefit Check API

    With Real Patient Benefit Check, providers can validate patient benefits as well as prior authorization and referral requirements before care is delivered. This centralized API allows you to reduce denials and give patients clear answers about what’s covered and what they’ll owe before they receive care, reducing surprise bills and improving patient satisfaction.

    Real Patient Benefit Check includes:

    • Prior authorization requirements and if one already exists for specific service

    • Referral requirements and if one already exists for specific service

    • Benefits covered by CPT code including limits, restrictions and exceptions*

    • Cost share details for in-network and out-of-network services*

    *Capability is not currently available and is planned for future release.

    Real Patient Benefit Check is currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers are planned for future development. Please visit the developer portal for a list of supported payer IDs.

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    Optum Real Claim Actions API

    With the Real Claim Actions API, providers can submit more accurate claims, reconciliation requests, appeals and supporting documentation. This centralized API gives you access to payer claim processing information in real time to validate claims prior to submission to help identify and prevent likely denials before they occur. It also streamlines and improves the efficiency of the submission process so you can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time with patients.

    The Real Claim Actions includes:

    • X12 claim validation (HIPAA)

    • Membership coverage eligibility for the date of service 

    • Coordination of benefits including primacy and coverage details 

    • Prior authorization requirements and status 

    • Claim submission

    • Reconciliation request and appeal submission

    • Supporting documentation submission

    Real Claim Actions is currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers are planned for future development. Please visit the developer portal for a list of supported payer IDs. 

Developer Resources

Try before subscribe – Request access to sandbox credentials for all Optum Real APIs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I test the Real APIs before subscribing?

A: You can request access to the AI Marketplace sandbox environment to test sample API responses by visiting this page, scrolling down to Developer Resources and clicking “Request sandbox.” After you submit the form, you'll receive credentials that allow you to integrate your software with the sandbox environment. You can use these credentials to test the APIs in our interactive environment Try It page or use an application like Postman. Please note: The pre-subscription sandbox will only return responses based on preloaded data until your Real API subscription status is “subscribed.”

Q: Can I subscribe to multiple Real APIs?

A: Yes, you can subscribe to one or more Real APIs. The subscriptions will align to the same set of API credentials whether they are ordered at the same time or not.

Q: What organization name do I use when creating my AI Marketplace account?

A: Please use your employer's organization name listed on the active W-9 form filed with the IRS. The same organization name will appear pre-populated in the Billing Information section of the checkout page.

Note: Please make sure the Company Name is from Box 1 on your organization's W9. Incorrect Company Names may result in a Cancelled order.

Q: What payers do the Real APIs cover?

A: The Real APIs are currently live with UnitedHealthcare. Additional payers may be added in the future. For a listing of payer ID coverage, for each API, please refer to the Optum Real overview page in the developer portal.

Q: Can software vendors subscribe to the Real APIs on behalf of their provider clients?

A: Yes. Once the API subscription is implemented, the software vendor's account administrator will be contacted for their provider clients' billing TINs so they can be associated with the active account subscription.

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