Electronic remittance advice (ERA) FAQs

To enroll for Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) (also known as an 835 electronic data file), you must be a current OptumRx®-contracted pharmacy that has the ability to electronically receive and interpret the 835 electronic data file.

An ERA enrollment form is available online and must be filled out completely with trading partner information. Once completed, the form can be faxed or mailed to OptumRx. You will be asked to provide File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and PGP key information.

Please allow 30 days after mailing or faxing the application for the ERA enrollment process to be completed.

A pharmacy will know that its enrollment has been completed when the 835 electronic data advice file arrives via FTP.

The PGP key is an electronic encryption program which is designed to provide authentication for transmission of electronic information.

We require PGP encryption for all files originating and terminating from OptumRx containing sensitive information and personal health information protected under federal and state laws and regulations, including the HIPAA privacy and security rules.

To obtain a PGP key, a pharmacy must contact its claims processing software vendor.

In order to provide us with your PGP key, you will be asked to fill out a form online with PGP and/or FTP information during the initial ERA enrollment. This form will be transmitted to us in a secure manner.

Once you enroll for ERA, you will not receive a hardcopy/paper remittance advice report unless you request it. The paper remittance advice can be mailed for up to 31 days after your ERA enrollment has been processed.

All claims remittance information will be sent to you electronically using the 835 data file.

If you feel that you must receive the claims remittance advice in hardcopy/paper, you may elect to continue receiving paper checks in which case a hardcopy/paper report will be sent with your check.

No. You will continue to use your current process for all claims submissions.

You can enroll in the Pharmacy ERA Program at any time with our enrollment form. OptumRx will require your FTP and/or PGP key information.

Once you receive the 835 electronically, you will need to provide and maintain the equipment, software, and personnel necessary to reliably receive, process, and maintain electronic documents in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Some pharmacy software vendors provide such software to their subscribers.

If your ERA is late or missing, please contact OptumRx Provider Relations at Pharmacy Provider Relations Intake Form (optumrx.com).