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MA75 Remark Code: Patient Signature Missing or Invalid

MA75 means the claim lacked a valid signature from the patient or the patient's authorized representative, such as the authorization to release information or assign benefits, so the payer did not process it.

Quick facts

Code
MA75 (RARC MA75)
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 claim was held back because of the missing authorization. The provider obtains it and resubmits; the patient is not billed for the adjustment.
Official description
Missing/incomplete/invalid patient or authorized representative signature.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What MA75 means

Claims carry the patient’s authorization for two things: release of medical information needed to process the claim, and, where applicable, assignment of benefits to the provider. MA75 tells you the payer did not find a valid patient or authorized representative signature. On paper claims that means CMS-1500 items 12 or 13 were blank or unacceptable; on an 837 it relates to the release-of-information or assignment indicators.

It usually accompanies CARC 16.

Common causes

  • Items 12 and 13 were left blank and no signature-on-file indicator was used.
  • The practice did not obtain a signed authorization at registration.
  • A representative signed without the relationship or authority being documented.
  • Electronic indicators were set to “no” by default in the billing system.

How to fix it

  1. Check the patient’s registration file for a signed authorization.
  2. Obtain a signature if none exists, from the patient or a properly authorized representative.
  3. Update the claim with the signature or “Signature on File” in items 12/13, or correct the electronic indicators.
  4. Resubmit. Send a new claim if the original was rejected, or use resubmission code 7 with the original claim number in item 22 to replace a processed claim.

How to prevent it

  • Make signed authorizations part of new-patient intake, and re-obtain them when payer rules call for it.
  • Set electronic release-of-information and assignment indicators correctly by default.
  • A Claims Validator check can catch blank signature indicators before submission.

Codes that may appear with MA75

  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Missing information needed for adjudication; MA75 identifies the patient signature.
  • MA70 (Missing/incomplete/invalid provider representative signature.): The provider or representative signature, the other certification on the claim.
  • N3 (Missing consent form.): A missing consent form, which is a separate document from the claim signature.
  • MA71 (Missing/incomplete/invalid provider representative signature date.): The provider signature date rather than the patient signature.

MA75 FAQ

Where does the patient signature go?

On the CMS-1500, item 12 is the patient's or authorized person's signature authorizing release of information, and item 13 authorizes payment to the provider. Many payers accept 'Signature on File' when a signed authorization is kept in the record.

Who can sign for the patient?

An authorized representative, such as a legal guardian or someone with appropriate legal authority. Payers and applicable law define who qualifies, so check the rules before accepting another person's signature.

How long is a signature on file valid?

It varies by payer. Some accept a one-time authorization indefinitely while others require periodic renewal.