What is the primary characteristic of third-party billing?

The primary characteristic of third-party billing is that it involves collecting payments from a party other than the customer. This means that while the service or product is provided to the customer, the payment is processed through a third party, which can be an insurance company, a government agency, or any external organization responsible for paying the charges.

This approach is common in various industries, such as healthcare or insurance, where the customer may not directly handle the payment. Instead, the service provider bills the third party, allowing for a more streamlined process for the customer and potentially making payment easier and more manageable for all parties involved.

In contrast, invoicing the customer directly pertains to a straightforward transaction where the service or product provider deals directly with the end user. Creating multiple invoices may occur in certain contexts but does not define third-party billing since the focus is on who handles payment. Finally, providing discounts to customers is a pricing strategy rather than a feature of third-party billing.