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N193 Remark Code: Another Program May Cover This

N193 is an alert that a specific federal, state, or local program may cover this service through a different payer. The current payer is pointing you toward another source of coverage.

Quick facts

Code
N193 (RARC N193)
Status
Active In use since February 28, 2003; last modified November 1, 2015.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): If this payer does not cover the service, the amount is typically not billable to the patient until the other program has been checked.
  • OA (Other Adjustment): Some payers report an other adjustment while noting the alternative program.
Official description
Alert: Specific federal/state/local program may cover this service through another payer.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N193 means

Some services are funded by government programs that operate outside ordinary health plans. N193 is the payer’s way of saying that one of those programs, whether federal, state, or local, may cover the service instead. It does not itself decide the claim; the paired CARC does that.

It often appears with CARC 109 (not covered by this payer) or CARC 96.

What to do

  1. Identify the program. Call the payer if the remittance or provider manual does not make it clear.
  2. Check the patient’s eligibility for that program and whether your practice is enrolled or able to bill it.
  3. Submit to the program following its rules, which may involve a separate form or portal.
  4. If no other program applies, go back to the payer with that information and ask for reconsideration or clarification of patient responsibility.

Keep a list of the public programs that commonly fund services in your specialty and state, so staff can route these claims without starting from scratch each time.

Codes that may appear with N193

  • CO-109 (Claim/service not covered by this payer/contractor.): The claim is not covered by this payer and should go to the correct payer, possibly the program N193 refers to.
  • OA-22 (This care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.): Another payer may be responsible under coordination of benefits.
  • CO-96 (Non-covered charge(s).): Non-covered charges, with N193 pointing to a possible alternative source.
  • N196 (Alert: Patient eligible to apply for other coverage which may be primary.): Alert that the patient may be eligible to apply for other coverage that could be primary.
  • N104 (This claim/service is not payable under our claims jurisdiction area.): The claim is not payable in this jurisdiction and belongs with another contractor.

N193 FAQ

Which programs does N193 mean?

The remark does not name one. Examples could include state vaccine programs, public health programs, early intervention services, or other government-funded benefits. Ask the payer if the program is unclear.

Should I bill the patient after N193?

Not before checking whether the other program applies. Many such programs have their own enrollment and billing rules.

Is N193 a denial on its own?

No. It is an alert. The CARC on the line tells you whether the service was denied, reduced, or paid.