Look up another code

MA86 Remark Code (Deactivated): Primary Group/Policy No.

MA86 meant the insured's group or policy number for the primary coverage was missing, incomplete, or invalid on the claim. X12 deactivated it and suggested MA92, missing plan information for other insurance.

X12 deactivated RARCMA86 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: MA86 (RARC MA86)
Status: Deactivated StoppedAugust 1, 2004 (in use since January 1, 1997).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Paired with CO missing-information adjustments; the provider had to add the primary policy details.
Official description: Missing/incomplete/invalid group or policy number of the insured for the primary coverage.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What MA86 meant

On a claim where another plan pays first, the secondary payer expects to see the policy or group number of that primary plan. Remark MA86 said it was absent or not valid. Without it, the secondary could not verify the primary coverage.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested MA92. MA92 is active and covers missing plan information for other insurance in general, which includes the group or policy number. If the primary’s payment details are also missing, payers add N4. The adjustment code is typically CO-16.

If you still see MA86

It only exists in older remittances. For a current rejection, copy the primary policy and group numbers exactly as they appear on the card or eligibility response into the other-insurance fields, confirm the subscriber details match, and resubmit the secondary claim.

MA92 (Missing plan information for other insurance.): The suggested replacement: missing plan information for other insurance.
N4 (Missing/Incomplete/Invalid prior Insurance Carrier(s)): Missing, incomplete, or invalid prior insurance carrier EOB.
CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Claim lacks information or has billing errors.

MA86 FAQ

Where does the primary policy number come from?

From the patient's primary insurance card or the primary payer's eligibility response. It belongs in the other-insurance section of the secondary claim.

Why did a secondary payer need it?

To confirm the primary coverage and coordinate benefits correctly. A missing or wrong policy number can also prevent automatic crossover of claims between payers.

Important: read before using this information

This page is general educational information about a standard industry code set. It is not medical billing, coding, legal, reimbursement, or compliance advice, and it does not create a professional or advisory relationship with ClaimsRevenue.

Code definitions, payer usage, contracts, and laws change, and payers may apply the same code differently. The information is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including accuracy, completeness, or currency. You are solely responsible for verifying it against the current official X12 code lists, CMS guidance, your payer contracts, and payer policies before relying on it, and for every billing, coding, collection, and appeal decision you make.

Using this information does not guarantee that any claim will be paid or that any appeal will succeed. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ClaimsRevenue and MOODRX LLC are not liable for any loss or damage arising from its use. Official code descriptions are published by X12 and are quoted for reference only. See our full Claims Validation Disclaimer.