
Optum is not an insurance plan, but a group of doctors that contract with most major health insurance plans, including Medicaid. Optum Perks is a prescription discount program that cannot be used together with Medicaid or any insurance plan. Optum also provides provider management services to improve the way Medicaid agencies manage provider relationships and administrative tasks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Optum Insurance | Optum is not an insurance plan. It is a group of doctors that contract with most major health insurance plans. |
| Medicaid | A joint federal and state government program that provides healthcare coverage to people who cannot otherwise afford it, including low-income households and individuals. |
| Optum and Medicaid | Optum Perks prescription discount program cannot be used together with Medicaid. |
| Optum Provider Management Services | Designed to reduce the administrative burden on Medicaid agencies and providers, improving provider relationships and administrative tasks. |
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What You'll Learn
- Optum is not an insurance plan, but a group of doctors contracting with most major health insurance plans
- Optum Perks prescription discount program cannot be used with Medicaid
- Optum Provider Management Services helps Medicaid agencies and providers manage relationships and administrative tasks
- Optum supports Medicaid agencies in removing friction from the claims payment cycle
- Optum helps identify geographical gaps and underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage

Optum is not an insurance plan, but a group of doctors contracting with most major health insurance plans
Optum is not an insurance plan. It is a group of doctors who contract with most major health insurance plans. Optum accepts most health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. These include HMOs, PPOs, Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and supplement plans. However, it is important to note that the accepted plans may vary by office location. For instance, Optum doctors in California accept most Medicare plans, including Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Advantage. They also work with patients who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program.
In New York, Optum participates in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), which includes the Empire Plan, Excelsior Plan, and Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP). Optum also works with UnitedHealthcare, offering plans such as EPO, HMO, POS, HMO Plus, and PPO. They accept most major health insurance plans but recommend verifying with your insurance company to ensure that Optum providers are included in your plan.
Optum's approach is to bring all parts of the healthcare system together to deliver simpler, more effective, and more affordable care. They support both patients and doctors by providing advanced techniques, approaches, and insights to make informed decisions about health. Optum's goal is to put patients at the center of everything they do, ensuring that their experience is positive and efficient.
While Optum does not specifically mention contracting with Medicaid insurance plans, they do work with state Medicaid agencies to improve provider relationships and administrative tasks. For example, Optum provides an intuitive online portal that simplifies the provider enrollment process and offers insights into geographical gaps in provider coverage, helping states identify underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage.
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Optum Perks prescription discount program cannot be used with Medicaid
Optum Perks is a prescription discount program that offers coupons and discount cards to help users save up to 80% on prescription medications. Optum negotiates bulk pricing with retail pharmacies and passes the savings directly to the customers. Optum Perks is free to use and can be used by anyone as it is not a type of insurance and does not have any restrictions or requirements.
However, the Optum Perks prescription discount program cannot be used with Medicaid. Medicaid is a government-funded program that covers medical costs, including prescription medications, for individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria, often relating to income, state of residence, or age. While Medicaid helps reduce medication costs through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP), Optum Perks is a separate program that offers discounts on medications through partnerships with pharmacies.
The reason Optum Perks cannot be used with Medicaid is that prescription drug coupons and discount cards generally cannot be combined with health insurance plans. This includes Medicare and Medicaid. When filling prescriptions, individuals must use one program or the other, as they cannot combine discounts. An exception may be using Optum Perks with Medicare Part D, where a pharmacist may allow the use of both simultaneously.
To determine the best price for their medication, individuals with Medicaid can compare the out-of-pocket costs when using their Medicaid coverage or Optum Perks discounts. A pharmacist can assist in comparing the total cost of the medication with each program to find the most affordable option. While Optum Perks offers significant savings, it is important to note that discounted medication purchases do not count toward any deductible.
In conclusion, while Optum Perks is a valuable program that helps individuals save on prescription medication costs, it cannot be used in conjunction with Medicaid. Individuals with Medicaid must choose to use either their Medicaid coverage or Optum Perks discounts when filling their prescriptions, seeking the most affordable option through comparison.
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Optum Provider Management Services helps Medicaid agencies and providers manage relationships and administrative tasks
Optum Provider Management Services is a scalable, services-based solution that helps Medicaid agencies and providers manage relationships and administrative tasks. It is designed to alleviate the administrative burden on both parties and improve the way they manage relationships and administrative tasks.
The service includes a self-service gateway and support system that simplifies administrative activities, such as licensure and automated verification, enhancing the user experience and reducing the total cost of ownership. The intuitive design makes it easy for agency staff to manage and monitor provider participation in Medicaid programs. Dynamic screen workflows, up-to-date application status, and easy-to-use self-service capabilities reduce redundancies and speed up the enrollment process.
Optum's provider management services also offer a six-part provider enrollment workflow that is easy to navigate. The human-centered, intuitive online portal offers real-time responses and simplifies the entire enrollment process, allowing providers to complete applications in as little as 20 minutes.
Additionally, Optum provides robust provider metrics through executive and operational dashboards, giving states a comprehensive view of their provider network. With insights into location, type, and enrollment status, states can identify geographical gaps and underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage. Optum's services are compatible with existing modules, legacy systems, and third-party vendors, making it easy to manage all provider types and organizations.
With over 100 configurations, Optum supports automated enrollment decisions, customizable instructions, and seamless integration into existing environments. Optum is a CMS pre-approved ValuePoint solution provider for the MMIS Provider Services Module, offering full-service management and enhanced self-service options. Their expertise in managing and operating provider networks ensures that providers can focus on delivering quality care.
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Optum supports Medicaid agencies in removing friction from the claims payment cycle
Optum is a CMS pre-approved ValuePoint solution provider for the MMIS Provider Services Module. Optum's Provider Management Services are designed to alleviate the administrative burden on Medicaid agencies and providers. Optum achieves this by improving the way agencies manage provider relationships and administrative tasks. Optum supports Medicaid agencies in removing friction from the claims payment cycle by offering a comprehensive approach to streamlining the process.
The Optum Provider Services Module is a self-service gateway for Medicaid providers and agency staff. It offers a six-part provider enrollment workflow that is easy to navigate. Providers can complete an application in as little as 20 minutes. The module also provides robust provider metrics through executive and operational dashboards, giving states a comprehensive view of their provider network. This allows states to identify underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage.
Optum's self-service gateway simplifies administrative activities, enhancing the user experience and reducing the total cost of ownership. The intuitive design makes it easy for agency staff to manage and monitor provider participation in Medicaid programs. Dynamic screen workflows, up-to-date application status, easy-to-use self-service capabilities, and embedded tips and training reduce redundancies and speed up the enrollment process. Optum also provides continuous support to ensure providers can focus on delivering quality care, including licensure and automated verification, as well as simplified maintenance.
Optum's Claims Administration services include the intake, processing, and servicing of all claim types for a state's Medicaid population. The services are supported by contact centers, including telephone, mail, and interactive voice response. Optum's prebuilt claims module uses flexible, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology that can be configured to meet a state's specific Medicaid requirements. This technology can be implemented faster than traditional custom builds, taking around 15–18 months. Providers receive immediate feedback and education on claims submitted through the provider real-time adjudication portal, leading to fewer denials and less rework.
Overall, Optum's Provider Management Services and Claims Administration solutions help to remove friction from the claims payment cycle for Medicaid agencies. By streamlining enrollment, administrative activities, and claim processing, Optum improves the efficiency and effectiveness of Medicaid programs.
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Optum helps identify geographical gaps and underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage
Optum is a CMS pre-approved ValuePoint solution provider for the MMIS Provider Services Module. Optum's Provider Management Services are designed to improve the way Medicaid agencies and providers manage relationships and administrative tasks. Optum's services are intended to alleviate the administrative burden on both Medicaid agencies and providers.
Optum's Provider Management Services offer access to robust provider metrics through executive and operational dashboards, providing a comprehensive view of a provider network. This includes insights into location, type, and enrollment status, which can help states identify geographical gaps and underserved communities that may require additional Medicaid provider coverage.
Optum's services are compatible with existing modules, legacy systems, and third-party vendors, allowing for the management of all provider types, organizations, and atypical providers. With over 100 configurations, Optum supports automated enrollment decisions, customizable instructions, and easy implementation into current environments. The self-service gateway and support system simplify administrative activities, enhance the user experience, and reduce the total cost of ownership.
Optum's experience in managing and operating provider networks is extensive, managing more than $120 billion in net patient revenue for partner hospitals and physicians' practices. They work with over 90,000 aligned care delivery physicians and have a network of more than 1,600 primary and specialty care clinics, 300 Optum Care Ambulatory Surgery Care Centers, and nearly 2,500 home and community contracted skilled nursing home facilities. Optum's commitment to continuous improvement ensures they meet the evolving needs of provider enrollment and management.
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Frequently asked questions
Optum is a group of doctors who contract with most major health insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and supplement plans. Optum also provides Medicaid management services to improve the way agencies manage provider relationships and administrative tasks.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that provides healthcare coverage to people who could not otherwise afford it, including low-income households, individuals with disabilities, and pregnant people. Eligibility and benefits vary depending on the state.
No, you cannot use Optum Perks with Medicaid or any insurance plan. However, in some cases, the discounted price through Optum Perks may be lower than your Medicaid copay, so it is worth comparing your options.
Optum accepts most health insurance plans, but this may vary by office location. It is recommended to call the office you want to visit and ask if they accept your health plan. Alternatively, you can call your health plan and inquire if you can choose an Optum doctor.




































