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M117 Remark Code: Must Be Submitted Electronically

M117 means the service is not covered unless it is submitted as an electronic claim. The paper claim was denied, and you need to resubmit it electronically unless you qualify for a paper-claim exception.

Quick facts

Code
M117 (RARC M117)
Status
Active In use since January 1, 1997; last modified June 30, 2003.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The claim was denied for its submission format. The provider resubmits electronically; the patient is not billed.
Official description
Not covered unless submitted via electronic claim.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What M117 means

Many payers require claims in the HIPAA electronic format (the 837) and will not pay paper claims unless an exception applies. Medicare’s requirement comes from the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act, which generally requires electronic submission except for certain small providers and specific situations. M117 tells you the paper claim you sent was not covered because it was not electronic.

The service may be payable once submitted in the correct format.

Common causes

  • Claims printed and mailed because of a temporary system or clearinghouse problem.
  • Staff sending paper claims for unusual cases such as those needing attachments.
  • A practice that assumed it qualified for a small-provider exception without documenting it.
  • A new location or provider that has not yet been set up for electronic billing.

How to fix it

  1. Resubmit the claim electronically through your clearinghouse or the payer’s direct submission option.
  2. Send attachments using the payer’s electronic attachment process, or reference paper documentation with the attachment indicator where supported.
  3. If you believe an exception applies, contact the payer to document it before sending further paper claims.
  4. Watch the filing deadline and keep proof of the original paper submission in case it is needed.

How to prevent it

  • Set up every billing provider and location for electronic submission before claims go out.
  • Have a fallback electronic path when your primary clearinghouse is down, rather than printing claims.
  • Review the timely filing guide to make sure resubmissions stay on time.

Codes that may appear with M117

  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): The claim has a submission error, identified by M117 as the wrong format.
  • CO-A1 (Claim/Service denied.): The claim was denied, with M117 explaining that electronic submission is required.
  • N400 (Alert: Electronically enabled providers should submit claims electronically.): An alert that providers able to submit electronically should do so, without a denial.
  • N34 (Incorrect claim form/format for this service.): The claim form or format was incorrect for this service.

M117 FAQ

Why do payers require electronic claims?

For Medicare, the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act requires most providers to submit claims electronically, with limited exceptions such as small providers.

What if my practice qualifies for a paper-claim exception?

Contact the payer or contractor to document the exception. Medicare may ask you to show that you meet the criteria.

Does the timely filing clock keep running?

Yes. Resubmit electronically promptly so you stay within the filing limit.