What is the type of claim submitted to an insurance company when the patient has already paid for services upfront?

The correct choice for the type of claim submitted to an insurance company when the patient has already paid for services upfront is a secondary claim. In this context, a secondary claim typically refers to a situation where the primary insurance has already been billed for the services rendered, and the patient is seeking reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses that were covered by the primary payer.

When a patient pays upfront, they may later file a claim with their insurance company to recover some or all of those costs. If the service was already billed to an insurance provider, but not fully covered, then any follow-up claims, including attempts to receive reimbursement for what the patient has already paid, can be categorized as secondary. This term indicates that it is a claim following the initial claim processed by the primary payer.

The other options point to different processes or types of claims altogether. A primary claim is one that is filed as the first claim to an insurance provider, while a direct claim implies a straightforward submission without involvement of another payer. A pre-authorization claim is a request for approval from the insurance company before services are provided, which is distinct from submitting a claim for reimbursement after payment has been made.