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N185 Remark Code: Do Not Resubmit This Claim

N185 is an alert telling the provider not to resubmit the claim or service. Sending it again will not change the result and may be treated as a duplicate; if you disagree with the decision, use the appeal or reconsideration process instead.

Quick facts

Code
N185 (RARC N185)
Status
Active In use since February 28, 2003; last modified April 1, 2007.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The adjustment stands as the provider's responsibility unless changed through appeal. Resubmitting will not reverse it.
  • OA (Other Adjustment): Other adjustment where no further action by resubmission is expected, for example because the claim is being handled another way.
Official description
Alert: Do not resubmit this claim/service.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N185 means

N185 is an instruction more than an explanation. The payer is telling you that sending the same claim or service again is pointless. It often shows up next to CARC 18 (exact duplicate), CARC B13 (previously paid), or a timely filing denial, where resubmitting cannot produce a different answer.

What to do

  1. Read the paired CARC to understand the decision. If it is a duplicate or previously paid denial, locate the original claim and its payment.
  2. If you agree with the outcome, post the adjustment and close the line.
  3. If you disagree, use the payer’s appeal or reconsideration route with supporting documentation instead of rebilling.
  4. Tag the claim in your system so automated rebill workflows do not send it again.

Repeated resubmissions can trigger more duplicate denials and slow down legitimate follow-up. See duplicate claim denials for ways to stop claims from being sent twice.

Codes that may appear with N185

  • OA-18 (Exact duplicate claim/service (Use only with Group Code OA except where state workers' compensation regulations requires CO)): The claim is an exact duplicate; N185 warns against sending it again.
  • CO-B13 (Previously paid.): The service may have been paid previously, so another submission is not needed.
  • CO-29 (The time limit for filing has expired.): The filing limit has expired, so resubmission will not help.
  • N938 (Alert: Do not resubmit.): Alert not to resubmit because the claim will be automatically reprocessed.
  • N704 (Alert: You may not appeal this decision but can resubmit this claim/service with corrected information if warranted.): You may not appeal, but you can resubmit with corrected information if warranted.
  • N211 (Alert: You may not appeal this decision.): Alert that the decision may not be appealed.

N185 FAQ

What should I do if I disagree with the denial?

Follow the payer's appeal or reconsideration process. N185 only rules out plain resubmission; it does not by itself remove appeal rights.

Can I send a corrected claim after N185?

Only if the payer allows it for the issue involved. Ask the payer before sending, since some treat corrected claims on these lines as duplicates.

Why do payers use N185?

To reduce repeat submissions of claims that have already been decided or are being handled another way. Repeat submissions create duplicate denials and work for both sides.