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MA49 Remark Code (Deactivated): HHA/Hospice ID for CPO

MA49 meant the six-digit identifier for the home health agency or hospice was missing, incomplete, or invalid on a physician's care plan oversight claim. X12 deactivated it and suggested MA76.

X12 deactivated RARCMA49 on August 1, 2004. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Code: MA49 (RARC MA49)
Status: Deactivated StoppedAugust 1, 2004 (in use since January 1, 1997).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Accompanied CO missing-information adjustments; the physician had to add the agency's identifier.
Official description: Missing/incomplete/invalid six-digit provider identifier for home health agency or hospice for physician(s) performing care plan oversight services.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What MA49 meant

When a physician bills Medicare for care plan oversight of a home health or hospice patient, the claim must identify the agency providing that care. Remark MA49 said the agency’s six-digit provider number was missing or wrong. The six-digit format reflects the identifier Medicare used for agencies at the time.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested MA76. MA76 remains active and covers a missing, incomplete, or invalid identifier for the home health agency or hospice when a physician is performing care plan oversight. It does not specify a digit count, which fit the later move to other identifier formats. The adjustment code is usually CO-16.

If you still see MA49

It exists only in old files. For current care plan oversight claims, obtain the agency’s identifier from the agency itself, report it where the payer’s instructions say, and confirm the agency’s certification period covers the dates billed.

MA76 (Missing/incomplete/invalid provider identifier for home health agency or hospice when physician is performing care plan oversight services.): The suggested replacement: missing, incomplete, or invalid identifier for the home health agency or hospice on care plan oversight claims.
CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Claim lacks information or has billing errors.

MA49 FAQ

What is care plan oversight?

Physician supervision of a patient receiving home health or hospice care, such as reviewing care plans and coordinating with the agency, billed separately under Medicare rules.

Why did the claim need the agency's number?

Medicare links care plan oversight to the specific agency or hospice serving the patient, so the physician's claim must identify it.

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