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N202 Remark Code: Explanation Sent Separately

N202 is an alert that the payer is sending additional information or an explanation about this claim separately, outside the remittance advice, for example by letter, portal message, or email.

Code: N202 (RARC N202)
Status: Active In use since June 30, 2003; last modified November 1, 2015.
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): The adjustment on the line stands; the reason in detail will arrive in the separate communication.
OA (Other Adjustment): Other adjustments may also rely on the separate explanation for context.
Official description: Alert: Additional information/explanation will be sent separately.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What N202 means

Remittance advice has limited room for explanation. When the payer’s reasoning or instructions do not fit into a few codes, it can add N202 to tell you that more detail is coming through another channel. The adjustment codes on the line still apply; N202 only says the full story is elsewhere.

It is often seen with general denial codes such as CARC A1, or with review-based adjustments like CARC 216.

What to do

Note the claim and check your mail, provider portal, and correspondence queues for a letter tied to it.
Link the letter to the claim in your system once it arrives so staff working the denial can see it.
Follow the instructions in the letter, whether that is sending records, correcting the claim, or filing a dispute.
If nothing arrives, call the payer and ask for a copy, and keep an eye on any appeal deadline in the meantime.

A shared correspondence log helps prevent separate letters from getting lost between the mailroom and billing staff.

Codes that may appear with N202

CO-A1 (Claim/Service denied.): A general claim or service denial whose detailed explanation is being sent separately.
CO-216 (Based on the findings of a review organization or the payer's findings.): An adjustment based on a review, with findings described in a separate letter.
CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Information is missing and the payer will explain what it needs outside the remit.

M16 (Alert: Please see our web site, mailings, or bulletins for more details concerning this policy/procedure/decision.): Alert pointing to the payer's website, mailings, or bulletins for policy details.
N220 (Alert: See the payer's web site or contact the payer's Customer Service department to obtain forms and instructions for filing a provider dispute.): Alert pointing to the payer's website or customer service for dispute forms.

N202 FAQ

Where will the separate explanation come from?

It varies by payer: a mailed letter, a message in the provider portal, or a document attached to the claim in the portal. If nothing arrives in a reasonable time, call provider services.

Should I appeal before receiving the explanation?

Usually wait, unless an appeal deadline is approaching. The separate information often explains what documentation or correction the payer expects.

Does N202 mean the claim is still pending?

Not necessarily. The claim has usually been processed; only the detailed reasoning is coming separately.

Important: read before using this information

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