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MA101 Remark Code (Deactivated): SNF Pays Outside Providers

MA101 meant a skilled nursing facility, not Medicare, was responsible for paying the outside provider who furnished these services or supplies to its residents. X12 deactivated it and suggested N538.

X12 deactivated RARCMA101 on January 1, 2011. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Quick facts

Code
MA101 (RARC MA101)
Status
Deactivated StoppedJanuary 1, 2011 (in use since January 1, 1997).
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): Accompanied CO denials; the outside provider had to seek payment from the facility, not the patient or Medicare.
Official description
A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is responsible for payment of outside providers who furnish these services/supplies to residents.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What MA101 meant

Remark MA101 applied when an outside provider, such as a lab, supplier, or therapist, billed Medicare for services to a skilled nursing facility resident whose care was bundled into the facility’s payment. The remark told that provider to look to the SNF for payment.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested N538. N538 is active and broadens the message to any facility responsible for paying outside providers. SNF-specific active remarks include N106. The adjustment reason is often CARC CO-190, payment included in the allowance for a SNF qualified stay.

If you still see MA101

It remained in use until relatively recently, so you may meet it on older SNF-related denials. Confirm the resident’s covered stay dates, check whether the service is excluded from consolidated billing, and if not, bill the facility under your agreement.

  • N538 (A facility is responsible for payment to outside providers who furnish these services/supplies/drugs to its patients/residents.): The suggested replacement: a facility is responsible for payment to outside providers who furnish services to its patients or residents.
  • N106 (Payment for services furnished to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) inpatients (except for excluded services) can only be made to the SNF.): Payment for services furnished to SNF inpatients can only be made to the SNF.
  • CO-190 (Payment is included in the allowance for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) qualified stay.): Payment is included in the allowance for a skilled nursing facility qualified stay.

MA101 FAQ

Why would the SNF pay an outside provider?

During a covered Medicare Part A SNF stay, many services are bundled into the facility's payment. Outside suppliers of those services bill the facility under an arrangement, not Medicare.

Do all services for SNF residents fall under this rule?

No. Certain services are excluded from SNF consolidated billing and can be billed separately. Check the applicable exclusion lists.