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RARC M86 · Remittance Advice Remark Code

RARC M86 Remark Code: Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within s…

Reviewed by QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Last reviewed

Updated

Not an ICD-10 code. RARC M86 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 M86 (X12 Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within set time frame). Commonly paired with CARC 18, CARC B13. RARC M86 is a frequency/duplicate RARC pairing with CARC 18 or B13 — same or similar service already paid within the payer's timing window.

Official X12 description

“Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within set time frame.”

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 M86 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 18Exact duplicate claim/service
CARC B13Previously paid. Payment for this claim/service may have been provided in a previous payment.
CARC 97The benefit for this service is included in the payment/allowance for another service/procedure that has already been adjudicated.

What RARC M86 actually means

RARC M86 is a frequency/duplicate RARC pairing with CARC 18 or B13 — same or similar service already paid within the payer's timing window. Reconcile for distinctness; if truly duplicate, close.

Common root causes

  • Prior payment within the payer's time window.
  • Similar-procedure rule bundling services.

Prevention checklist

  • Claim-status check before resubmission.

Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step

Because RARC M86 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. 1If distinct, rebill with appropriate modifier and clinical justification.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC M86
[Provider letterhead] Re: Reconsideration — Claim #{claim_number}, CARC 18 / RARC M86 Member: {member_name} · Member ID: {member_id} Date(s) of Service: {dos} The 835 remittance on {remittance_date} carried RARC M86: "Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within set time frame." 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 M86?

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 M86

QuickRCM reads RARC M86 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 M86

What does RARC M86 mean?

RARC M86 is an X12 Remittance Advice Remark Code. The official X12 definition is: "Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within set time frame." It is supplemental to a Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) on the same 835 line.

Which CARC is paired with RARC M86?

RARC M86 is most commonly paired with CARC 18, CARC B13, CARC 97. 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 M86 remark on a remit?

Start from the root cause: Prior payment within the payer's time window. First step: If distinct, rebill with appropriate modifier and clinical justification. Because RARCs are supplemental, the resolution is almost always to address the paired CARC rather than appeal the RARC alone.

Where does RARC M86 appear on the 835 ERA?

RARC M86 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 M86 the same as ICD-10 code M86?

No. RARC M86 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.