Medical bills and patient care FAQ
Medical billing is when your provider sends a claim or bill to you or your insurance company for the care you received. It helps make sure doctors and hospitals get paid for their services.
If your claim is processed through insurance, you’ll receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance company. An EOB explains how your claim was processed, what your plan paid and what you may owe. It may include:
- Patient name
- Description of service
- Date of service
- Provider or retailer name
- Cost of the service or item
If you’re looking for a medical bill, check out our medical bill payment options by state.
Review the medical bill carefully, checking the dates of service, medical services, the amount your insurance paid, and what you owe. Visit our medical bill payment options by state.
The IRS says you may deduct costs used to pay for medical care. Learn how tax deductions work and what medical expenses may be deducted from your taxable income.
Review the medical bill carefully, checking the dates of service, medical services, the amount your insurance paid and what you owe. If something doesn’t look quite right or you have questions, call the number on the bill for help.
If you have questions, you can find support options online or call the number on your bill. They can answer questions and talk about payment options or financial assistance.
Call the number on your bill to ask whether your provider offers financial assistance.
Call the number on your medical bill and explain what you think is wrong. They will review your account and work with you to resolve any concerns.
There may be specific timeframes to dispute a charge, which will be stated on your medical bill. It is best to call as soon as you notice an issue.
Health insurance FAQ
A deductible is the amount you pay for health care before your insurance starts to pay. After you meet your deductible, your plan begins to share the cost.
You can find your deductible amount by reviewing your insurance plan documents, calling the number on the back of your insurance card or logging in to your insurance company's website.
A copay is a set amount of money you pay for a health care service, like a doctor visit or medicine, at the time you get it.
You can find your copay amounts by reviewing your insurance plan documents, calling the number on the back of your insurance card or logging in to your insurance company's website.
HMOs and PPOs have different networks of providers, costs and coverage for out-of-network services. An HMO requires you to pick doctors from a set list and get permission to see specialists. A PPO lets you choose almost any doctor without asking first, but usually costs more.
The health insurance plans we accept vary by location. Call your doctor’s office to make sure they accept your health plan. You can also contact your health insurance company to find out if you can see an Optum provider.
If you're enrolled in Medicare, you can find Optum providers that accept Medicare.
No. Our providers contract with major health insurance plans. These include:
- HMOs (health maintenance organizations)
- PPOs (preferred provider organizations)
- Original Medicare
- Medicare Advantage plans
- Supplement plans
Yes, you can use Optum Perks if you have health insurance, but Optum Perks can’t be combined with insurance. In many cases, insurance has lower drug costs. The cost of medication is usually cheaper with a prescription insurance plan, but sometimes a prescription discount card can offer a better price. Choose the option that’s right for you.
There are several ways to learn about your Medicare coverage options. You can review the CMS website at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227/TTY call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can contact Medicare Advantage health plans directly for information about the plans they offer.
We can help you find the right Medicare plan for your needs. Visit Medicare Support.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, supplemental insurance is extra coverage you can buy to help pay costs that Medicare doesn’t cover, like copays or deductibles.
UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance plans and benefits, while Optum provides health care services, pharmacy services and health financial services. Depending on your needs, you may interact with one or both as part of your health care experience.
Health savings account (HSA) FAQ
Yes, your HSA can be used to pay for health care, medications and more. Learn about qualified expenses and how to use your HSA to get more from your money.
Yes, you can use your HSA to pay for dental care if it's a qualified expense. For example, cleanings or fillings may be qualified expenses under your HSA plan. Check your HSA plan for details.
You can pay with your HSA by using your HSA debit card at the doctor’s office, pharmacy or online. You can also sign in to your HSA account to pay bills or reimburse yourself.
Typically you can’t use your HSA to pay for regular health insurance premiums, but there may be a few exceptions. Check your HSA plan for details.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you can reimburse yourself for certain insurance premiums, including premiums for Medicare Parts B and D and Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage — plans offered by private insurers that replace Medicare coverage).
Learn how Medicare impacts your HSA eligibility, HSA contributions and qualified medical expenses.
Yes, you can use your HSA to pay for copays for a qualified medical expense. Discover all the ways to save and pay with your HSA for health services and costs.
Yes, you can use your HSA to pay for many eligible over-the-counter health items. Eligible expenses may include certain medications, first-aid supplies and other health care products.
Check the Qualified Medical Expenses Tool to see if an item is eligible.
No. HSA funds roll over from year to year and remain in your account, even if you change jobs or retire. You can use your HSA balance for eligible health care expenses now or save it for future medical costs.
Flexible spending account (FSA) FAQ
You can use your flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for any qualified health care cost, whether it’s a service, treatment or product. Our eligibility tool helps you understand what products and services are qualified medical expenses.
You can pay with your FSA by using your FSA payment card at the doctor’s office, pharmacy or online. Or, if you pay out of pocket, you can submit a claim through your FSA account or mobile app to reimburse yourself.
Yes, you can use your FSA to pay copays for many qualified medical expenses, as well as dental care and eligible over-the-counter health items. Discover all the ways to save and pay with your FSA for health services and costs.
Unused FSA funds may expire at the end of the plan year under the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. Some plans may offer a grace period, allow unused funds to carry over or provide additional time to submit claims. Check your plan documents for details.
Prescription and pharmacy FAQ
A prior authorization is a review your health plan uses to decide whether it will cover a medication. Your prescription may need prior authorization before your plan approves coverage. Your doctor, pharmacy or health plan can tell you what information is needed.
Check your health plan's prescription drug list to see whether your medicine is covered. You can usually find the list on your health plan's website or member portal. If you need help, contact your health plan or pharmacy benefits provider for more information.
Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and meet the same quality, safety and effectiveness standards. Generic drugs often cost less, which may help you save money on your prescriptions.
Yes, Medicare covers infusion therapy services, equipment and supplies when medically reasonable and necessary. Learn more about Optum Infusion Pharmacy.
You can pay your Optum Infusion Pharmacy bill online. Simply enter your date of birth, account number, date of service and service charges from your bill to get started.
Patient portal FAQ
To get started, visit the Optum patient portals page to find the correct portal for your location and sign in. Once signed in, you may be able to manage appointments, update personal information and access other features available through your provider or location.
Many patient portals allow you to view lab and test results online after they become available. Sign in to your patient portal and look for a section labeled test results. Available features may vary by provider and location.
If you're having trouble signing in, make sure you're using the correct patient portal for your provider or location. Visit the Optum patient portals page to find your portal. If you still need help, contact your doctor's office for assistance.
Many patient portals offer secure messaging that lets you communicate with your care team online. Sign in to your patient portal and look for a messaging or messages section. Available features may vary by provider and location.