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MA118 Remark Code: No Medicare Payment, VA Facility Care

MA118 is an alert that no Medicare payment was issued because the services or supplies were furnished to a Medicare-eligible veteran through a Department of Veterans Affairs facility. The official text notes coinsurance and/or deductible are applicable.

Quick facts

Code
MA118 (RARC MA118)
Status
Active In use since January 1, 1997; last modified November 1, 2014.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): Medicare made no payment for VA-furnished care. Medicare does not pay for this service under this claim.
  • PR (Patient Responsibility): Coinsurance or deductible may still be recorded as applicable, as the official text states.
Official description
Alert: No Medicare payment issued for this claim for services or supplies furnished to a Medicare-eligible veteran through a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Coinsurance and/or deductible are applicable.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What MA118 means

MA118 is a Medicare alert for care involving the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many veterans are also eligible for Medicare, but the two programs generally do not pay for the same service. When services or supplies were furnished to a Medicare-eligible veteran through a VA facility, Medicare issues no payment. The official text adds that coinsurance and/or deductible are applicable.

What to do

  1. Confirm the service relationship to the VA, such as whether the service was furnished by or through a VA facility.
  2. Seek payment from the VA if you provided care on its behalf, following VA community care or authorization rules.
  3. Review the patient responsibility lines before sending any statement to the patient.
  4. Update registration so VA-related services are routed correctly; see eligibility and COB denials.

Codes that may appear with MA118

  • PR-1 (Deductible Amount): Deductible that the alert notes is applicable even though Medicare paid nothing.
  • PR-2 (Coinsurance Amount): Coinsurance that may also be applied.
  • CO-109 (Claim/service not covered by this payer/contractor.): The service is not covered by this payer and belongs to another program.
  • MA73 (Informational remittance associated with a Medicare demonstration.): No fee-for-service payment because the patient elected managed care.
  • MA16 (The patient is covered by the Black Lung Program.): The patient is covered by the Black Lung Program and the claim belongs with the Department of Labor.

MA118 FAQ

Why didn't Medicare pay?

The services were furnished through a VA facility. Medicare generally does not pay for services the VA provides or authorizes.

Who pays for the service?

The VA handles payment for care it furnishes. Contact the VA facility or its community care program if you provided services on its behalf.

Why are coinsurance and deductible mentioned?

The official text says they are applicable. Check how they are reported on the remittance before billing anyone.