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RARC N287 · Remittance Advice Remark Code

RARC N287 Remark Code: Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier

Reviewed by QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Last reviewed

Updated

Not an ICD-10 code. RARC N287 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 N287 (X12 Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier). Commonly paired with CARC 16, CARC 148. RARC N287 flags referring-provider NPI issues.

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 N287 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 16Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).
CARC 148Information from another provider was not provided or was insufficient/incomplete.
CARC 183The referring provider is not eligible to refer the service billed.
CARC 206National Provider Identifier - missing.

What RARC N287 actually means

RARC N287 flags referring-provider NPI issues. Correct and resubmit.

Common root causes

  • Referring NPI missing/invalid.

Prevention checklist

  • Referring-NPI validation at chart open.

Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step

Because RARC N287 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. 1Correct and resubmit.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC N287
[Provider letterhead] Re: Reconsideration — Claim #{claim_number}, CARC 16 / RARC N287 Member: {member_name} · Member ID: {member_id} Date(s) of Service: {dos} The 835 remittance on {remittance_date} carried RARC N287: "Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier." 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 N287?

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 N287

QuickRCM reads RARC N287 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 N287

What does RARC N287 mean?

RARC N287 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 N287?

RARC N287 is most commonly paired with CARC 16, CARC 148, 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 N287 remark on a remit?

Start from the root cause: Referring NPI missing/invalid. First step: Correct and resubmit. Because RARCs are supplemental, the resolution is almost always to address the paired CARC rather than appeal the RARC alone.

Where does RARC N287 appear on the 835 ERA?

RARC N287 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 N287 the same as ICD-10 code N287?

No. RARC N287 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.