Overview

What is payments API?

Payments APIs allow you to integrate payment processing capabilities into your applications or platforms, enabling secure and efficient handling of transactions.

You will be able to issue payments using each of the following methods:

• Single payment management
• Batch payments management

Funding configuration

Funding refers to the process of acquiring money (funds) from the client to cover payment obligations.

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The funding methods for payments are assigned by Optum and cannot be changed once set.

No funding

In the No Funding configuration, payment networks are responsible for ensuring that funding is obtained for payments. Funds must be placed in the Accounts/ Sub-Account’s funding account before payments are submitted.

Pre-funded same day

In the Pre-funded same day configuration, funding is requested prior to payments releasing.

Pre-funded next day

In the Pre-funded next day configuration, funding is deposited into an Optum bank account prior to payments releasing.

Pre-funded - Funding request events

Post funded

In the Post funded configuration, funding is deposited after the payment experiences financial activity.

Post-funded - Funding request events (payment loading)

Post-funded - Funding request events (after payment settling)

Replenishment funding

In the Replenishment funding configuration, funds are pulled on schedule into the operating account for the payments that loaded during the scheduled time.

Hold/Release configuration

Hold and Release refers to the process where a payment batch is placed into a “held” state prior to funding and loading (“released”). When the batch is in a held state, payments can be added, modified, or deleted. Once the batch is “released”, the batch will go through the funding, preferencing, and loading processes to create payments.

This configuration is needed because:

• some accounts are Third Party Administrators (TPAs) and need to get funds from their clients (our sub-accounts) and place those funds in the accounts / sub-account’s funding account before payments are submitted.
• other accounts want to use the hold and release feature as a gut check to make sure they didn't make a mistake in the file or have someone change data to redirect payments to a different place.