The OptumRx fax number for new home delivery prescriptions is 1-800-491-7997, using Optum's Physician Fax Form sent by the prescriber. For UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D, coverage determinations go to the Optum Rx Prior Authorization Department at 1-844-403-1028, and appeals go to 1-866-308-6294. For most other prior authorization requests, Optum Rx is retiring its fax lines and asks prescribers to use electronic prior authorization or call 1-800-711-4555.

This guide lists each verified number with its source, explains the prior authorization fax retirement, and covers what to do when no fax number applies to you.

  • Home delivery fax for prescribers, verified on optum.com
  • Part D numbers for UnitedHealthcare Medicare members, verified on uhc.com
  • Prior authorization by fax is shrinking: ePA or phone is now the default

Table of Contents

What Optum Rx handles

Optum Rx is the pharmacy benefit manager in the UnitedHealth Group family. It reviews drug coverage for UnitedHealthcare plans and many other employers and health plans, and it runs Optum Home Delivery Pharmacy. The paperwork that still moves by fax is:

  • New prescriptions for home delivery, sent by the prescriber
  • Prior authorization and exceptions, now mostly electronic
  • Medicare Part D coverage determinations and appeals for UnitedHealthcare members

Optum Perks, Optum's discount card and cash-pay delivery service, is a separate program with its own contacts. This page does not cover it.

Verified Optum Rx fax numbers

Verified November 2026:

Plan type What to fax Fax number Source
Optum Home Delivery (prescriber) Physician Fax Form for new prescriptions (prescriber line: 1-800-791-7658) 1-800-491-7997 Optum home delivery prescriber sheet (PDF)
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D Coverage determinations, to the Optum Rx Prior Authorization Department 1-844-403-1028 UHC Medicare coverage determinations and appeals
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D Appeals (redeterminations) and written grievances 1-866-308-6294 UHC Medicare coverage determinations and appeals

Notes:

  • Part D numbers are for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D only. Other Medicare plans that use Optum Rx may print different numbers in their own materials.
  • No expedited fax for Part D appeals. UnitedHealthcare asks members to call for an expedited appeal rather than fax.
  • E-prescribing is preferred. Optum's prescriber sheet calls e-prescribing the most efficient and accurate route, and lists the pharmacy at 6800 W 115th St, Suite 600, Overland Park, KS 66211.

Prior authorization: fax is being retired

Optum Rx's prior authorization guidelines page says it is retiring most fax numbers used for pharmacy prior authorization requests on all plans it manages, except in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas. It does not give an end date, and it does not list a fax number on that page.

What that means in practice:

  • Use ePA first. Optum Rx strongly encourages electronic prior authorization.
  • Or call. Prescribers who cannot submit electronically can call 1-800-711-4555 to make a verbal request. Urgent requests also go to that number.
  • If you print a form, use its number. Optum Rx still offers printable request forms through its ePA page. Fax the form only to the number printed on it, and only if the form says fax is accepted.

Older Optum Rx forms and third-party lists still show general prior authorization fax lines. We have not published one here, because Optum says most of them are being retired, and a fax to a dead line has no confirmation that matters.

The number on your form or letter wins

Optum Rx administers benefits for many plan sponsors, so the safest source is always the document in front of you.

If a letter, form, or portal screen gives a fax number, use it. That covers:

  • A denial letter, which names the appeals route and deadline for that plan
  • A plan-specific form posted by an employer or health plan that uses Optum Rx
  • A state Medicaid program form, since some state programs use Optum Rx with their own lines

If none of those gives you a number, call the member services number on the ID card and ask where the request should go.

How to fax Optum Rx, step by step

  1. Decide what you are sending: a prescription, a prior authorization, or a Part D request.
  2. Check that fax is accepted for that request. For prior authorization, it often is not.
  3. Use the current form. The Physician Fax Form for home delivery, the form from the ePA page for prior authorization, or the plan's Part D form.
  4. Check the prescription is complete. Optum asks prescribers to confirm the medication name, formulation, strength, directions, quantity, and refills, and to check coverage and prior authorization needs first.
  5. Fax from the prescriber's office. The Physician Fax Form is meant for prescribers, and pharmacies generally expect faxed prescriptions to come from the prescriber or the prescriber's agent.
  6. Keep the confirmation with a copy of the pages.

If your office does not have a working fax machine, you can send a fax online for $2.99 with no subscription and no account. Prescriptions still need to come from the prescriber's office, so the practice should be the sender.

Why Optum Rx faxes get sent back

  • Prior authorization sent to a retired line. Check the ePA page or call before faxing.
  • Patient-sent prescriptions. The fax route is for prescribers; patients should ask the prescriber to send it.
  • Incomplete prescriptions missing the strength, directions, quantity, or refills.
  • Wrong Part D unit. Coverage determinations and appeals go to different numbers.
  • Expedited appeals by fax. UnitedHealthcare asks for a phone call instead.
  • Low-contrast scans. Fax is black and white, so faint chart notes can arrive unreadable.

Faxing Optum Rx comes down to checking that fax is still the right channel, using the number on the current form, and keeping your confirmation.

Fax your Optum Rx documents now →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Optum Rx home delivery fax number?

Optum's prescriber sheet for Optum Home Delivery Pharmacy says to send the Physician Fax Form to 1-800-491-7997. Prescribers can also call 1-800-791-7658 or e-prescribe, which Optum calls the most efficient option.

What is the Optum Rx prior authorization fax number?

Optum Rx says it is retiring most fax numbers for pharmacy prior authorization requests on plans it manages, except in MA, RI, SC, and TX. It asks providers to use electronic prior authorization, or call 1-800-711-4555 for a verbal request. If you print a form from its ePA page, use the number on that form.

What is the fax number for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D coverage determinations?

UnitedHealthcare sends Medicare Part D coverage determinations to the Optum Rx Prior Authorization Department, fax 1-844-403-1028. Part D appeals go to fax 1-866-308-6294.

Can a patient fax a prescription to Optum Rx?

Generally no. Optum's fax instructions are written for prescribers, who send the Physician Fax Form, call the clinician line, or e-prescribe. Patients should ask their prescriber to send the prescription to Optum Home Delivery.

How do I appeal an Optum Rx denial?

Follow the denial letter, which names the appeals fax and deadline for your plan. For UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D, the redetermination fax is 1-866-308-6294, and expedited appeals are requested by phone.

Sources