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MA85 Remark Code (Deactivated): Primary Plan Info Missing

MA85 meant the payer's records showed another primary payer, but the claim did not accurately include that insurance plan, group, or program name or identification number. X12 deactivated it and suggested MA92.

X12 deactivated RARCMA85 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: MA85 (RARC MA85)
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 provider needed to add the primary plan details.
Official description: Our records indicate that a primary payer exists (other than ourselves); however, you did not complete or enter accurately the insurance plan/group/program name or identification number. Enter the PlanID when effective.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What MA85 meant

Remark MA85 came from a payer that believed it was secondary. Its records showed another plan should pay first, yet the claim did not properly name that plan or give its identifying number. The payer could not coordinate benefits without that information. The remark also anticipated a future national plan identifier.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested MA92. MA92 is active and simply says plan information for other insurance is missing. It is often paired with CARC OA-22, meaning another payer may be responsible. When the claim does not indicate whether this payer is primary or secondary, payers use MA83.

If you still see MA85

It appears only in older data. For a current coordination rejection, ask the patient about all active coverage, update the insurance order in your system, bill the primary first, and then send the secondary claim with the primary’s plan details and payment information.

MA92 (Missing plan information for other insurance.): The suggested replacement: missing plan information for other insurance.
OA-22 (This care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.): This care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.
MA83 (Did not indicate whether we are the primary or secondary payer.): Did not indicate whether we are the primary or secondary payer.

MA85 FAQ

How did the payer know about another primary payer?

Payers keep coordination of benefits records, and Medicare in particular maintains information on other coverage that pays first. MA85 appeared when the claim did not reflect what those records showed.

What does 'Enter the PlanID when effective' mean?

At the time, a national health plan identifier was expected to be introduced. The remark asked providers to use it once it became available.

Important: read before using this information

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