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RARC M102 · Remittance Advice Remark Code

RARC M102 Remark Code: Service not performed on equipment approved by the FDA for this purpose

Reviewed by QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Last reviewed

Updated

Not an ICD-10 code. RARC M102 is a remittance-advice remark code published by X12 and carried on the 835 LQ segment. Any ICD-10 code with the same letters and digits (e.g., ICD-10 M15 osteoarthritis, N130 other urinary tract disorders) is a separate, unrelated code set used in diagnoses on the 837. Confirm the context before acting on this page.

TL;DR

RARC M102 (X12 Service not performed on equipment approved by the FDA for this purpose). Commonly paired with CARC 55, CARC 114. RARC M102 denies because the device/equipment was not FDA-approved for the billed use.

Official X12 description

“Service not performed on equipment approved by the FDA for this purpose.”

Source: X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes. X12 publishes and maintains the RARC set; always verify against the current release before building a claim workflow.

Paired CARC codes

RARC M102 almost never appears alone — it accompanies one of the CARCs below on the same 835 remittance line. Fix the CARC and the RARC typically clears; the RARC alone is informational.

Paired CARCWhat the CARC means
CARC 55Procedure/treatment/drug is deemed experimental/investigational by the payer.
CARC 114Procedure/product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

What RARC M102 actually means

RARC M102 denies because the device/equipment was not FDA-approved for the billed use. Verify FDA status; appeal with FDA documentation if misapplied.

Common root causes

  • Device not FDA-approved for this use.

Prevention checklist

  • FDA-approval check for device-based services.

Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step

Because RARC M102 is supplemental to a CARC, the resolution path usually starts by fixing the underlying adjustment reason. A formal appeal of the RARC alone is rarely necessary.

  1. 1Appeal with FDA documentation.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC M102
[Provider letterhead] Re: Reconsideration — Claim #{claim_number}, CARC 55 / RARC M102 Member: {member_name} · Member ID: {member_id} Date(s) of Service: {dos} The 835 remittance on {remittance_date} carried RARC M102: "Service not performed on equipment approved by the FDA for this purpose." We request reconsideration. The attached documentation rebuts the remark code: 1. [State the fact that rebuts the remark — authorization number, primary 835, modifier rationale, LCD citation, etc.] 2. [Reference the paired CARC and the corresponding fix] 3. [Attach the supporting document listed in step 1] Attached: {list supporting documents} Please process this line under the member's benefits. Contact the billing office at {provider_phone} for questions. Sincerely, {billing_manager_name}, {credentials}

Edit the bracketed fields before sending. Payer-specific reconsideration forms are often required — check the provider portal first.

How common is RARC M102?

Platform frequency
Pending ETL

Platform frequency ranks publish once the anonymized denial-rate pipeline reaches the publication threshold (strategy §12 Phase 2).

How QuickRCM handles RARC M102

QuickRCM reads RARC M102 alongside its paired CARC in the 835 LQ segment and routes the line to the correct worker queue with the right documentation already attached:

  • Denial routing rules tuned to the CARC+RARC pair — the paired combination tells QuickRCM which documentation the payer will accept.
  • Reconsideration template for this exact remark code pulls the supporting facts from the claim automatically.
  • Pre-submission scrubs that catch the preventable drivers surfaced on this page before the 837 leaves the clearinghouse.
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Frequently asked questions — RARC M102

What does RARC M102 mean?

RARC M102 is an X12 Remittance Advice Remark Code. The official X12 definition is: "Service not performed on equipment approved by the FDA for this purpose." It is supplemental to a Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) on the same 835 line.

Which CARC is paired with RARC M102?

RARC M102 is most commonly paired with CARC 55, CARC 114. The CARC is the financial adjustment reason; the RARC is the informational remark. Fix the paired CARC first — the RARC usually clears with the corrected claim.

How do I resolve a RARC M102 remark on a remit?

Start from the root cause: Device not FDA-approved for this use. First step: Appeal with FDA documentation. Because RARCs are supplemental, the resolution is almost always to address the paired CARC rather than appeal the RARC alone.

Where does RARC M102 appear on the 835 ERA?

RARC M102 is carried on the 835 Loop 2110 LQ segment alongside the CARC in the CAS segment of the same service line. The code and its X12 description also print on the paper EOB in the "Remark Code" or "Remark" column next to the corresponding denial or adjustment reason.

Is RARC M102 the same as ICD-10 code M102?

No. RARC M102 is a remittance-advice remark code published by X12 and carried on the 835. Any ICD-10 code with the same letters and digits is a diagnosis code on the 837 HI segment — a completely different code set maintained by the WHO/CMS. Use the transaction context (835 = RARC; 837 = ICD-10) to disambiguate.

Disclaimer

This page is operational reference for medical-billing professionals. It is not legal, clinical, or contractual advice. X12 code descriptors are maintained by the X12 External Code Lists; always verify against the current X12 release and the payer's own published policy before submitting or appealing a claim.