Look up another code

M140 Remark Code (Deactivated): Not Covered Before Age 50

M140 meant the service was not covered until after the patient's 50th birthday, so coverage did not apply before the day after it. X12 deactivated it and suggested M82, which says the service is not covered when the patient is under age 50.

X12 deactivated RARCM140 on January 30, 2004. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Code: M140 (RARC M140)
Status: Deactivated StoppedJanuary 30, 2004 (in use since January 1, 1997).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Used with CO when the provider could not bill the patient, for example without an advance notice.
PR (Patient Responsibility): Used with PR when the patient was responsible for the non-covered service.
Official description: Service not covered until after the patient's 50th birthday, i.e., no coverage prior to the day after the 50th birthday
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What M140 meant

Remark M140 explained an age limit. The service was only covered starting the day after the patient’s 50th birthday, and the patient had not reached that point on the date of service. It typically applied to screening services with age-based coverage rules.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested M82. M82 is active and says the service is not covered when the patient is under age 50. Age-related denials may also use CARC CO-6 when the procedure is inconsistent with the patient’s age, or CO-96 for non-covered charges.

If you still see M140

It only shows up in older remittances. For a current age denial, first verify the date of birth on the claim. If it is correct, the service was not covered for a patient that age, and whether the patient can be billed depends on the group code and any advance notice signed.

M82 (Service is not covered when patient is under age 50.): The suggested replacement: service not covered when the patient is under age 50.
CO-6 (The procedure/revenue code is inconsistent with the patient's age.): The procedure or revenue code is inconsistent with the patient's age.
CO-96 (Non-covered charge(s).): Non-covered charges, often paired with age-limit remarks.

M140 FAQ

Which services have age-50 rules?

Historically, certain screening services, such as some colorectal cancer screening tests, had age thresholds under Medicare. Current age rules depend on the payer and the service.

What if the patient's birth date is wrong?

Correct the date of birth in your records and with the payer if needed, then resubmit. An incorrect birth date is a common cause of age-related denials.

Important: read before using this information

This page is general educational information about a standard industry code set. It is not medical billing, coding, legal, reimbursement, or compliance advice, and it does not create a professional or advisory relationship with ClaimsRevenue.

Code definitions, payer usage, contracts, and laws change, and payers may apply the same code differently. The information is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including accuracy, completeness, or currency. You are solely responsible for verifying it against the current official X12 code lists, CMS guidance, your payer contracts, and payer policies before relying on it, and for every billing, coding, collection, and appeal decision you make.

Using this information does not guarantee that any claim will be paid or that any appeal will succeed. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ClaimsRevenue and MOODRX LLC are not liable for any loss or damage arising from its use. Official code descriptions are published by X12 and are quoted for reference only. See our full Claims Validation Disclaimer.