If a payment from the secondary payer arrives with the primary payer’s invoice number, can you still post the secondary payer’s payment using that same primary invoice number?

If a payment from the secondary payer arrives with the primary payer’s invoice number, can you still post the secondary payer’s payment using that same primary invoice number?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if you have permission
• D. Only for certain HARs

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the invoice number is the anchor to the charge, not the payer itself. If the secondary payer’s remittance comes with the primary payer’s invoice number, you can post that payment to the same primary invoice. This allows multiple payers to contribute toward the same charge and keeps the patient account and aging accurate. The system uses the invoice reference to apply the payment to the correct balance, so linking the secondary payment to the primary invoice is the correct way to reflect that payment. Always verify the remittance details to confirm the amount and ensure it matches the associated charge lines.

The key idea is that the invoice number is the anchor to the charge, not the payer itself. If the secondary payer’s remittance comes with the primary payer’s invoice number, you can post that payment to the same primary invoice. This allows multiple payers to contribute toward the same charge and keeps the patient account and aging accurate. The system uses the invoice reference to apply the payment to the correct balance, so linking the secondary payment to the primary invoice is the correct way to reflect that payment. Always verify the remittance details to confirm the amount and ensure it matches the associated charge lines.