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RARC N55 · Remittance Advice Remark Code

RARC N55 Remark Code: Procedures for billing with group/referring/performing providers were not follo…

Reviewed by QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Last reviewed

Updated

Not an ICD-10 code. RARC N55 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 N55 (X12 Procedures for billing with group/referring/performing providers were not followed). Commonly paired with CARC 16, CARC 183. RARC N55 rejects because the group/referring/performing provider billing procedure was not followed.

Official X12 description

“Procedures for billing with group/referring/performing providers were not followed.”

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 N55 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 183The referring provider is not eligible to refer the service billed.

What RARC N55 actually means

RARC N55 rejects because the group/referring/performing provider billing procedure was not followed. Review payer billing manual and resubmit correctly.

Common root causes

  • Group/referring/performing provider sequence wrong on claim.

Prevention checklist

  • Payer-specific provider-sequence rules loaded in scrubber.

Resolution & appeal strategy — step by step

Because RARC N55 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 provider fields and resubmit.
Sample reconsideration language referencing RARC N55
[Provider letterhead] Re: Reconsideration — Claim #{claim_number}, CARC 16 / RARC N55 Member: {member_name} · Member ID: {member_id} Date(s) of Service: {dos} The 835 remittance on {remittance_date} carried RARC N55: "Procedures for billing with group/referring/performing providers were not followed." 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 N55?

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 N55

QuickRCM reads RARC N55 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 N55

What does RARC N55 mean?

RARC N55 is an X12 Remittance Advice Remark Code. The official X12 definition is: "Procedures for billing with group/referring/performing providers were not followed." It is supplemental to a Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) on the same 835 line.

Which CARC is paired with RARC N55?

RARC N55 is most commonly paired with CARC 16, CARC 183. 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 N55 remark on a remit?

Start from the root cause: Group/referring/performing provider sequence wrong on claim. First step: Correct provider fields 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 N55 appear on the 835 ERA?

RARC N55 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 N55 the same as ICD-10 code N55?

No. RARC N55 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.