EXHIBIT 5


                            Opinion of Paul J. Quiner






                     [PER-SE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. LETTERHEAD]



                                   May 9, 2002

Per-Se Technologies, Inc.
2840 Mt. Wilkinson Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia  30339

     Re:  Per-Se Technologies, Inc. -- Form S-8 Registration Statement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I serve as General Counsel to Per-Se Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"). In connection with the proposed filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") relating to 600,000 shares of the Company's voting
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), that may be distributed
to non-employee directors and key employees of the Company pursuant to the
Per-Se Technologies, Inc. Deferred Stock Unit Plan (the ("Plan"), I have
examined and relied upon such records, documents, certificates and other
instruments as in my judgment are necessary or appropriate to form the basis for
the opinion set forth below. In all such examinations, I have assumed the
genuineness of signatures on original documents and the conformity to such
original documents of all copies submitted to me as certified, conformed or
photographic copies, and as to any certificates of public officials, I have
assumed the same to have been properly given and to be accurate.

         This opinion is limited in all respects to the federal laws of the
United States of America and the laws of the State of Delaware, and no opinion
is expressed with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect
which such laws may have on the opinion expressed below.

         Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications
and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock that may be distributed pursuant to the Plan are duly authorized and, when
distributed in the manner and on the terms described in the Plan, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                         Sincerely,


                                         /s/ PAUL J. QUINER
                                         Paul J. Quiner
                                         Senior Vice President
                                         and General Counsel