PAY2_N (where _N indicates nonuniform) preserves much of the original expected secondary payer detail from the various data sources. However, some categories of PAY2_N are not available from some sources because not all sources have the same level of detail available. The data element PAY2_N was discontinued in 1998.

The HCUP data element PAY2_X retains the expected secondary payer as provided by the data source.

In the 1988-1997 HCUP databases, the secondary pay source (PAY2_N) was set to inconsistent (.C) if the primary pay source and the secondary pay source are the same and the source is one of the following:

• Medicare (ED951),
• Medicaid (ED951),
• CHAMPUS (ED952),
• Worker's Compensation (ED952), and
• Title V (ED952).

No edit checks were performed on the payer data elements beginning in the 1998 databases.