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MA55 Remark Code: Religious Care Election Revoked by Care

MA55 means the service is not covered because the patient received medical health care, which automatically revoked their election to receive religious non-medical health care services. The religious care billed after that point is not covered under the election.

Quick facts

Code
MA55 (RARC MA55)
Status
Active In use since January 1, 1997.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The institution is responsible for the non-covered care unless the patient was properly notified in advance.
  • PR (Patient Responsibility): The patient may be responsible if coverage and notice rules place liability on them.
Official description
Not covered as patient received medical health care services, automatically revoking his/her election to receive religious non-medical health care services.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What MA55 means

Medicare covers care in religious non-medical health care institutions (RNHCIs) only for beneficiaries who have elected it and who, by that election, decline medical treatment that conflicts with their beliefs. MA55 says that election ended automatically because the patient received medical care. The RNHCI care billed after that point is therefore not covered.

This is a rare, setting-specific code that appears on institutional claims from RNHCIs.

Common causes

  • The patient was hospitalised or treated medically during or before the RNHCI stay.
  • Medical care received by the patient was not reported to the RNHCI.
  • The RNHCI billed for days after a medical encounter that revoked the election.

How to fix it

  1. Confirm the medical care dates that triggered revocation.
  2. Adjust the claim so it covers only days before revocation, if the RNHCI stay began earlier.
  3. Help the patient file a new election if they wish to return to RNHCI care, following any waiting period.
  4. Appeal if the medical care was excepted care that should not have revoked the election.

How to prevent it

Ask patients and families about any medical treatment at admission and throughout the stay, and check eligibility for medical claims before billing. Coverage conflicts of this kind are covered in eligibility and COB denials.

Codes that may appear with MA55

  • CO-96 (Non-covered charge(s).): The religious non-medical care is treated as non-covered after revocation.
  • CO-272 (Coverage/program guidelines were not met.): Coverage or program guidelines were not met.
  • MA57 (Patient submitted written request to revoke his/her election for religious non-medical health care services.): The patient revoked the election by written request, rather than automatically.
  • MA24 (Christian Science Sanitarium/ Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) bill in the same benefit period.): A Christian Science sanitarium or SNF bill exists in the same benefit period.
  • PR-204 (This service/equipment/drug is not covered under the patient's current benefit plan): The service is not covered under the patient's current benefit plan.

MA55 FAQ

What is a religious non-medical health care election?

Medicare allows beneficiaries with religious objections to medical treatment to elect care in a religious non-medical health care institution. The election states that they do not want medical treatment that conflicts with their beliefs.

What care triggers automatic revocation?

Receiving Medicare-covered medical treatment, other than certain excepted care defined in Medicare rules, can revoke the election. Check the payer's guidance for which services count.

Can the patient elect again?

Medicare rules allow a new election after revocation, subject to waiting periods that may apply after repeated revocations.