EXHIBIT 5.1

                       [LETTERHEAD OF KING & SPALDING LLP]


                               September 26, 2005

Per-Se Technologies, Inc.
1145 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 200
Alpharetta, GA 30004

Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Per-Se Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4,
(the "Registration Statement") relating to the issuance of shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, including the associated
preferred stock purchase rights (collectively, the "Shares"), to be issued to
the stockholders of NDCHealth Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("NDCHealth"),
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as
of August 26, 2005, by and among the Company, Royal Merger Co., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger
Subsidiary"), and NDCHealth.

         In so acting, we have reviewed such matters of law and examined
original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such other documents,
records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed necessary as a basis for
the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such review, we have assumed the
genuineness of signatures on all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us as certified,
conformed or photographic copies and the legal capacity of all natural persons.
As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon
certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company.

         For purposes of the opinions below, we have assumed that the execution
and delivery of, and the performance of all obligations under, the Merger
Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite action by NDCHealth and the
Merger Subsidiary, as applicable, and that the Merger Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by NDCHealth and the Merger Subsidiary, as applicable,
and are valid and binding agreements of, NDCHealth, enforceable against
NDCHealth in accordance with their terms.

         The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the
Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all
applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial
decisions interpreting the foregoing), and no opinion is expressed with respect
to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may




Per-Se Technologies, Inc.
September 26, 2005
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have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters
stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters
expressly stated herein.

         Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations
and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued and delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that
come to our attention, or changes in law that occur, that could affect the
opinions contained herein. This opinion may not be furnished to or relied upon
by any person or entity (other than the addressee hereof) for any purpose
without our prior written consent.

         We note that, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, there is
no limit on the number of Shares that Per-Se may be required to issue but that
Per-Se can reduce the number of Shares being issued, subject to certain
limitations in the Merger Agreement, by increasing the amount of cash paid to
the stockholders of NDCHealth.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the joint proxy statement/prospectus that is included in the
Registration Statement.


                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ King & Spalding LLP