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MA58 Remark Code: Missing Release of Information Indicator

MA58 means the release of information indicator is missing, incomplete, or invalid. The indicator tells the payer whether the provider has the patient's authorisation on file to release the medical information needed to process the claim.

Code: MA58 (RARC MA58)
Status: Active In use since January 1, 1997; last modified February 28, 2003.
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): The provider must correct the indicator. A claim returned for this data issue is not billable to the patient.
Official description: Missing/incomplete/invalid release of information indicator.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What MA58 means

To process a claim, a payer needs to see diagnoses and other health information about the patient. The release of information indicator confirms you have the patient’s permission to share it. MA58 says that indicator was blank or used a value the payer does not accept.

It is a technical data error and usually easy to fix once identified.

Common causes

Box 12 on the CMS-1500 was left blank.
The electronic claim sent a release code the payer does not recognise.
The patient’s signature form was never obtained, so the system left the indicator empty.
A clearinghouse or software update changed default values.

How to fix it

Confirm a signed release is on file for the patient.
Set the indicator correctly in box 12 or the electronic release code field.
Obtain a signature if none exists, then complete the indicator.
Resubmit the claim.

How to prevent it

Collect the release and assignment signatures at registration and have your system block claims when the signature date is missing. Front-end data checks like this are easy to automate with a Claims Validator. See also claim rejection vs. denial.

Codes that may appear with MA58

CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Required claim information is missing or invalid, with MA58 pointing to the release of information indicator.

MA75 (Missing/incomplete/invalid patient or authorized representative signature.): The patient or authorised representative signature is missing or invalid.
MA70 (Missing/incomplete/invalid provider representative signature.): The provider representative signature is missing or invalid.
MA60 (Missing/incomplete/invalid patient relationship to insured.): The patient's relationship to the insured is missing or invalid.

MA58 FAQ

Where does the release of information go?

On the CMS-1500 it is box 12, the patient's or authorised person's signature, often entered as 'Signature on File'. On the 837 it is a release of information code in the claim information segment.

Do I need a new signature for every claim?

Usually not. Many payers accept a signature on file that covers ongoing claims, but check each payer's rules and keep the signed form in your records.

What if the patient cannot sign?

An authorised representative may sign. Payers have rules for who qualifies and how the representative's authority should be documented.

Important: read before using this information

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