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CARC Code Reference

CARC 55: Procedure/treatment/drug is deemed experimental/investigational by the payer. Usage: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present.

Procedure/treatment/drug is deemed experimental/investigational 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 Non-Covered Service
Risk level Medium
Appealable No

Common RARC pairings

RARCs (Remittance Advice Remark Codes) provide the specific reason detail alongside CARC 55 on the 835 electronic remittance. These are the RARCs seen most often with this CARC.

RARCMeaning
M49 Missing/incomplete/invalid value code(s) or amount(s).
N10 Adjustment based on the findings of a review organization/professional consult/manual adjudication/medical advisor/dental advisor/peer review.
N111 No appeal right except duplicate claim/service issue. This service was included in a claim that has been previously billed and adjudicated.
N115 This decision was based on a Local Coverage Determination (LCD). An LCD provides a guide to assist in determining whether a particular item or service is covered. A copy of this policy is available at www.cms.gov/mcd, or if you do not have web access, you may contact the contractor to request a copy of the LCD.
N623 Not covered when deemed unscientific/unproven/outmoded/experimental/excessive/inappropriate.
N789 Clinical Trial is not a covered benefit.
N794 Payment adjusted based on type of technology used.

See the full resolution workflow for CARC 55

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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