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CARC Code Reference

CARC 173: Service/equipment was not prescribed by a physician.

Service/equipment was not prescribed by a physician.

Group code CO, PI or PR
Category Documentation
Risk level High
Appealable Yes

Common RARC pairings

RARCs (Remittance Advice Remark Codes) provide the specific reason detail alongside CARC 173 on the 835 electronic remittance. These are the RARCs seen most often with this CARC.

RARCMeaning
N130 Consult plan benefit documents/guidelines for information about restrictions for this service.
N574 Our records indicate the ordering/referring provider is of a type/specialty that cannot order or refer. Please verify that the claim ordering/referring provider information is accurate or contact the ordering/referring provider.
N667 Missing prescription.
N668 Incomplete/invalid prescription.

See the full resolution workflow for CARC 173

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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