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RARC N216 · Remittance Advice Remark Code

RARC N216 Remark Code: We do not offer coverage for this type of service or the patient is not enrolle…

Reviewed by QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Last reviewed

Updated

Not an ICD-10 code. RARC N216 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 N216 (X12 We do not offer coverage for this type of service or the patient is not enrolled in this portion of…). Commonly paired with CARC 96, CARC 204. RARC N216 denies because the service type is not included in the member's specific benefit package (e.g., no dental rider, no behavioral rider).

Official X12 description

We do not offer coverage for this type of service or the patient is not enrolled in this portion of our benefit package.

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 N216 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 96Non-covered charge(s).
CARC 204This service/equipment/drug is not covered under the patient's current benefit plan.
CARC 256Service not payable per managed care contract.

What RARC N216 actually means

RARC N216 denies because the service type is not included in the member's specific benefit package (e.g., no dental rider, no behavioral rider). Shift to correct payer or patient responsibility.

Common root causes

  • Benefit-package exclusion.
  • Rider not elected.

Prevention checklist

  • Benefit-package verification before elective services.

Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step

Because RARC N216 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. 1Not typically appealable. Rebill correct payer/patient.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC N216
[Provider letterhead] Re: Reconsideration — Claim #{claim_number}, CARC 96 / RARC N216 Member: {member_name} · Member ID: {member_id} Date(s) of Service: {dos} The 835 remittance on {remittance_date} carried RARC N216: "We do not offer coverage for this type of service or the patient is not enrolled in this portion of our benefit package." 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 N216?

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 N216

QuickRCM reads RARC N216 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.

Frequently asked questions — RARC N216

What does RARC N216 mean?

RARC N216 is an X12 Remittance Advice Remark Code. The official X12 definition is: "We do not offer coverage for this type of service or the patient is not enrolled in this portion of our benefit package." It is supplemental to a Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) on the same 835 line.

Which CARC is paired with RARC N216?

RARC N216 is most commonly paired with CARC 96, CARC 204, CARC 256. 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 N216 remark on a remit?

Start from the root cause: Benefit-package exclusion. First step: Not typically appealable. Rebill correct payer/patient. Because RARCs are supplemental, the resolution is almost always to address the paired CARC rather than appeal the RARC alone.

Where does RARC N216 appear on the 835 ERA?

RARC N216 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 N216 the same as ICD-10 code N216?

No. RARC N216 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.