Paper Checks Phasing Out for Oxford Claims Payments

Paper Checks Phasing Out for Oxford Claims Payments

Choose between direct deposit or virtual card payments

By late second quarter 2023, UnitedHealthcare will no longer send paper checks for many* claim payments for Oxford plans in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

This change supports our continued efforts to accelerate payments to your practice by moving to digital transactions. As outlined in your contract with UnitedHealthcare you are required to do business with us electronically.

This change applies to network health care professionals who are not currently enrolled in Automated Clearing House (ACH)/direct deposit with Optum Pay™. If you already receive ACH/direct deposit payment for Oxford claims, there is nothing you need to do. You’ll continue to receive payments as you do today.

Action needed: Choose your electronic payment method

Enroll in ACH/direct deposit today – it’s the quickest form of payment

We encourage you to enroll by May 10, 2023. This should allow sufficient time for registration to be complete before UnitedHealthcare stops mailing paper checks. We can route payments at the tax ID number (TIN) and National Provider Identifier (NPI) number level.

• Enrollment with UnitedHealthcare generally takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll need to provide your current bank account information.
• With direct deposit payments, you’ll have automatic access to the free Optum Pay basic portal to review payment and remittance advice details. (You can also view your provider remittance advice (PRA) in Document Library at any time.)

Receive virtual card payments

If you don’t enroll in ACH/direct deposit or your registration isn’t complete by May 10, 2023, you’ll receive claim payments in the form of virtual card payments (VCP).

VPs are electronic payments that are processed using credit card technology. Unlike ACH/direct deposit, it doesn’t require healthcare professionals to share bank account information with UnitedHealthcare.

• Each VCP is issued in the form of a 16-digit, single-use virtual card for payment of individual or multiple claims
• The VCP is issued for the full claim payment amount. However, VCPs are subject to additional terms and conditions, including any fees from the card service processor.
• All VCP statements can be viewed in Document Library in the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal

Please note: We cannot hold claim payments while you are registering for ACH/direct deposit. You’ll begin receiving claim payments via direct deposit once your registration is finalized and your ACH is activated with your financial institution. You can enroll in direct deposit even after receiving a VCP. If you choose that option, direct deposit will only apply to future payments and cannot be applied to any previous claim payments.

Because network healthcare professionals and facilities are required to do business with us electronically, we must have a valid email address on file to send required notifications and important information. Please update your preferences regularly. More details are available in the Provider Communication chapter of the 2023 UnitedHealthcare Administrative Guide.