<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000878556</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PER SE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PSTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001159187</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>UBBEN JEFFREY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, FOURTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001129787</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>FOURTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001351069</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001351073</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ValueAct Capital Management, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000937541</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAMIN PETER H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>265 FRANKLIN STREET, 16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02110</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6021644</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.26</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.74</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-05-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.92</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.24</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.76</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-05-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-05-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Disposed of pursuant to a merger between the issuer and McKesson Corporation in exchange for $28 cash.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reported stock is owned directly by ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and may be deemed to be beneficially owned by (i) VA Partners, L.L.C. as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.  Jeffrey W. Ubben is a director of Per-Se Technologies, Inc. and  Managing Member of VA Partners, L.L.C. and ValueAct Capital Management, LLC.  Peter H. Kamin and George F. Hamel, Jr. are Managing Members of VA Partners, L.L.C. and ValueAct Capital Management, LLC. The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported stock except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Pursuant to a merger between the issuer and McKesson Corporation, each option was cancelled in exchange for cash equal to $28 less the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares subject to each option grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Under an agreement with ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., Jeffrey W. Ubben is deemed to hold the options for the benefit of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and indirectly for (i) VA Partners, L.L.C. as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., (ii) ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. as the manager of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. and (iii) ValueAct Capital Management, LLC as General Partner of ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.  Jeffrey W. Ubben is a director of Per-Se Technologies, Inc. and Managing Member of VA Partners, L.L.C. and ValueAct Capital Management, LLC.  Peter H. Kamin and George F. Hamel are Managing Members of VA Partners, L.L.C. and ValueAct Capital Management, LLC. The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported options except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Joint Filer Information:

Name: ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007

Name: ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007

Name: ValueAct Capital Management, LLC
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007

Name: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007

Name: George F. Hamel, Jr.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007

Name: Peter H. Kamin
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94133
Designated Filer: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Per-Se Technologies, Inc. (PSTI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: January 26, 2007</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., By:/s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MASTER FUND, L.P., By:  VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL  MANAGEMENT, L.P., By:  VALUEACT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, its General Partner, By:/s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, By:/s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ George F. Hamel, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Peter H. Kamin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
