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N165 Remark Code (Deactivated): Non-Ambulance Transport

N165 meant transportation in a vehicle other than an ambulance was not covered. X12 deactivated it shortly after it was introduced and suggested N158, which keeps the same wording and is active.

X12 deactivated RARCN165 on January 31, 2004. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Code: N165 (RARC N165)
Status: Deactivated StoppedJanuary 31, 2004 (in use since February 28, 2003).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Used with CO when the transport provider bore the denied amount.
PR (Patient Responsibility): Used with PR when the patient was responsible for the non-covered transport.
Official description: Transportation in a vehicle other than an ambulance is not covered.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What N165 meant

Remark N165 explained why a transport claim was denied: the patient traveled in something other than an ambulance, and the plan’s transportation benefit only covered ambulance transport. It was aimed at non-emergency transport companies and ambulance suppliers billing lower-level trips.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested N158, and N158 repeats the same text as an active remark. Related remarks include N157 for non-covered destinations. The adjustment code is often CO-96 for non-covered charges.

If you still see N165

It was only briefly active, so you will find it in older files alone. For a current denial, check whether the patient’s plan has a separate non-emergency transportation benefit or broker, and bill that program if so. Otherwise follow the plan’s rules on patient responsibility.

N158 (Transportation in a vehicle other than an ambulance is not covered.): The suggested replacement, with the same text.
N157 (Transportation to/from this destination is not covered.): Transportation to or from this destination is not covered.
CO-96 (Non-covered charge(s).): Non-covered charges, often the adjustment paired with transport remarks.

N165 FAQ

What vehicles does this cover?

Examples include wheelchair vans, taxis, and other non-emergency transport that is not an ambulance. Some Medicaid programs cover these as a separate benefit, but many medical plans do not.

Can the patient be billed?

It depends on the payer, the group code, and whether the patient agreed in advance. Medicaid programs often restrict billing members.

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