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CARC Code Reference

CARC 50: These are non-covered services because this is not deemed a 'medical necessity' by the payer. Usage: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present.

These are non-covered services because this is not deemed a 'medical necessity' by the payer. Usage: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present.

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

Common RARC pairings

RARCs (Remittance Advice Remark Codes) provide the specific reason detail alongside CARC 50 on the 835 electronic remittance. These are the RARCs seen most often with this CARC.

RARCMeaning
M1 X-ray not taken within the past 12 months or near enough to the start of treatment.
M25 The information furnished does not substantiate the need for this level of service. If you believe the service should have been fully covered as billed, or if you did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that we would not pay for this level of service, or if you notified the patient in writing in advance that we would not pay for this level of service and he/she agreed in writing to pay, ask us to review your claim within 120 days of the date of this notice. If you do not request an appeal, we will, upon application from the patient, reimburse him/her for the amount you have collected from him/her in excess of any deductible and coinsurance amounts. We will recover the reimbursement from you as an overpayment.
M26 The information furnished does not substantiate the need for this level of service. If you have collected any amount from the patient for this level of service/any amount that exceeds the limiting charge for the less extensive service, the law requires you to refund that amount to the patient within 30 days of receiving this notice. The requirements for refund are in 1824(I) of the Social Security Act and 42CFR411.408. The section specifies that physicians who knowingly and willfully fail to make appropriate refunds may be subject to civil monetary penalties and/or exclusion from the program. If you have any questions about this notice, please contact this office.
M31 Missing radiology report.
M51 Missing/incomplete/invalid procedure code(s).
M60 Missing Certificate of Medical Necessity.
M64 Missing/incomplete/invalid other diagnosis.
M76 Missing/incomplete/invalid diagnosis or condition.

See the full resolution workflow for CARC 50

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 requirements.

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