Secondary diagnosis

Reason subsequent to the primary diagnosis for an office or hospital encounter that may contribute to the condition or define the need for a higher level of care but is not the underlying cause. There may be more than one secondary diagnosis. See other diagnoses .

Secondary insurer

Second insurance plan identified through coordination of benefits (COB) that has the responsibility to pay if there are benefits pending after the first insurance company has sent the provider or patient reimbursement for the medical services. Also called secondary carrier or secondary insurance .

Secondary payer

1. Insurance carrier that reimburses the residual balance of the insurance claim after the primary insurance has paid its benefits. 2. When Medicare is the secondary payer (MSP), the primary insurance plan of a Medicare beneficiary must pay for any medical care or services first before Medicare is sent a claim. MSP may involve aged or disabled patients who are under group health plans and cases related to workers’ compensation, automobile accident, medical no-fault, and liability insurance. For a Medicare patient suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), MSP is the payer for the first 30 months that the beneficiary is entitled to benefits.