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CARC Code Reference

CARC 149: Lifetime benefit maximum has been reached for this service/benefit category.

Lifetime benefit maximum has been reached for this service/benefit category.

Group code CO, PI or PR
Category Benefit Maximum/Limitation
Risk level High
Appealable No

Common RARC pairings

RARCs (Remittance Advice Remark Codes) provide the specific reason detail alongside CARC 149 on the 835 electronic remittance. These are the RARCs seen most often with this CARC.

RARCMeaning
N117 This service is paid only once in a patient's lifetime.
N386 This decision was based on a National Coverage Determination (NCD). An NCD provides a coverage determination as to whether a particular item or service is covered. Visit CMS.gov and search for Medicare Coverage Database to find a copy of the policy.
N587 Policy benefits have been exhausted.
N786 Benefit limitation for the orthodontic active and/or retention phase of treatment.

See the full resolution workflow for CARC 149

Members of the EDI-Code Intelligence Lab get the step-by-step rework path, appeal language, root-cause drivers, and prevention checklist for every CARC and RARC pairing, plus payer-specific quirks.

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