OptumRx: Is Fax Still Accepted for Prior Authorization?

OptumRx is retiring fax for prior authorization except in 4 states. Electronic prior authorization is now the primary channel everywhere else.

Sarah Mitchell

Published on

September 17, 2026

Last updated on

September 22, 2026

OptumRx's own page confirms it is retiring most fax numbers for pharmacy prior authorization, keeping fax only in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.
Even in those 4 states, the actual fax numbers appear only on downloadable state-specific PDF forms, not printed as text on any official page.
Everywhere else, electronic prior authorization (ePA) is the primary channel, with a phone option (1-800-711-4555, option 2) for a verbal request.

Who This Page Is For

Providers and pharmacies submitting a prior authorization to OptumRx. If your patient's plan is outside Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, or Texas, OptumRx is telling you directly to use ePA instead of fax.

Is fax still accepted at OptumRx?

OptumRx is actively retiring fax numbers for pharmacy prior authorization requests, confirmed on its own official page. Fax remains an option only for plans in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas. For every other state and plan, OptumRx directs providers to electronic prior authorization (ePA) as the current process, with a phone-based verbal PA option as a fallback.

Where to fax, and where not to

Pharmacy prior authorization (provider, Massachusetts/Rhode Island/South Carolina/Texas): fax number printed on the state-specific PA form, not published as page text. Source: OptumRx's own PA Guidelines and Procedures page.
Pharmacy prior authorization (provider, all other states): not accepted by fax, use ePA or call 1-800-711-4555, option 2. Source: OptumRx's own Electronic Prior Authorization page.

Fax number(s) verified 2026-09-17.

What replaced fax at OptumRx?

Electronic prior authorization (ePA) is now the default across nearly every OptumRx-managed plan. OptumRx's own retirement notice is unusually direct about this, naming exactly which 4 states keep a fax option and treating everywhere else as ePA-only. A verbal prior authorization by phone remains available as a fallback where ePA isn't practical.

Which route should I use?

Check whether the plan is in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, or Texas, the only states where fax still applies.
If it is one of those 4 states, download the state-specific PA form from OptumRx's own site, the fax number is printed on the form itself, not on the general page.
If it isn't one of those states, don't search for a fax number, use ePA or call the verbal PA line instead.

Several other pharmacy prior authorization intermediaries follow a similar pattern. Our directory also covers Prime Therapeutics's fax number, is fax still accepted at Carelon, the Evolent fax page, and Cohere Health's prior authorization fax, each with its own fax status and routing notes.

When OptumRx still accepts fax, Fax.Plus stores the prior authorization form with 256-bit AES encryption, unique key per user.

FAQs

Which states can still fax OptumRx for prior authorization?

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas. OptumRx's own page states it is retiring fax everywhere else, but the actual fax numbers for these four states appear only on downloadable state-specific forms, not as text on the page itself.

What replaced fax for OptumRx prior authorization?

Electronic prior authorization (ePA) is the primary channel. Providers can also call OptumRx directly at 1-800-711-4555, option 2, for a verbal prior authorization.

Jump to section