Official X12 description
“Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier.”
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 N286 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.
CARCs CAQH CORE pairs with RARC N286
Under the CAQH CORE Payment and Remittance Uniform Use rule, a health plan that reports remark code N286 on an 835 should pair it with one of the 4 claim adjustment reason codes below, with the listed group code, for the business scenario 2 (Missing, invalid or incomplete data from the submitted claim). A remark paired outside this list is itself a compliance question to raise with the payer.
| CARC | Group code | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | CO or PI | 2: Missing, invalid or incomplete data from the submitted claim |
| 206 | CO or PI | 2: Missing, invalid or incomplete data from the submitted claim |
| 207 | CO or PI | 2: Missing, invalid or incomplete data from the submitted claim |
| 208 | CO or PI | 2: Missing, invalid or incomplete data from the submitted claim |
The CMS data behind RARC N286
N286 flags a missing or invalid referring practitioner NPI. CMS returns N264 or N286 when the referring or ordering practitioner's name or NPI is missing from items 17 and 17b of the CMS-1500 on laboratory, portable x-ray, parenteral and enteral nutrition and similar claims. Add the individual NPI and check that it is enrolled to refer for that kind of service.
What RARC N286 actually means
RARC N286 flags the referring-provider NPI as missing/invalid. Populate with the correct referring NPI (from PECOS for Medicare DMEPOS/labs/imaging) and rebill.
Common root causes
- Referring NPI blank or not in PECOS.
- Typo or wrong referring provider.
Prevention checklist
- Order-to-NPI automation at EHR.
- PECOS check for Medicare referrals.
Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step
Because RARC N286 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.
- 1Correct NPI and rebill.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC N286
Edit the bracketed fields before sending. Payer-specific reconsideration forms are often required — check the provider portal first.
How common is RARC N286?
Platform frequency ranks publish once the anonymized denial-rate pipeline reaches the publication threshold (strategy §12 Phase 2).
How QuickRCM handles RARC N286
QuickRCM reads RARC N286 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 N286
What does RARC N286 mean?
RARC N286 is an X12 Remittance Advice Remark Code. The official X12 definition is: "Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier." It is supplemental to a Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) on the same 835 line.
Which CARC is paired with RARC N286?
RARC N286 is most commonly paired with CARC 16, CARC 183, CARC 206. 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 N286 remark on a remit?
Start from the root cause: Referring NPI blank or not in PECOS. First step: Correct NPI and rebill. Because RARCs are supplemental, the resolution is almost always to address the paired CARC rather than appeal the RARC alone.
Where does RARC N286 appear on the 835 ERA?
RARC N286 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 N286 the same as ICD-10 code N286?
No. RARC N286 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.