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N225 Remark Code (Deactivated): Incomplete Documentation

N225 meant the documentation, orders, notes, summary, report, or chart received was incomplete or invalid. X12 deactivated it after explicit remarks for specific documents were approved, and payers now name the exact document that fell short.

X12 deactivated RARCN225 on March 1, 2016. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Code: N225 (RARC N225)
Status: Deactivated StoppedMarch 1, 2016 (in use since August 1, 2004).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Paired with CO documentation adjustments; the provider had to send complete, valid records.
Official description: Incomplete/invalid documentation/orders/notes/summary/report/chart.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What N225 meant

Remark N225 was used when records arrived but did not do the job. The payer received documentation, and it was incomplete or invalid for deciding the claim. Like its partner N29, it listed many document types without saying which one was the problem.

What replaced it

X12 did not name a single successor. Its notes explain that explicit remarks were approved and this general one would be retired. Examples of active specific remarks include N233 for an incomplete operative report and N238 for an incomplete plan of care. At the adjustment level, CO-251 says the documentation received was deficient. The companion remark for missing records was N29.

If you still see N225

Older claims may carry it. Ask the payer what was deficient, fix it, such as adding signatures or the correct dates, and resubmit the complete record set.

CO-251 (The attachment/other documentation that was received was incomplete or deficient.): The attachment or other documentation received was incomplete or deficient.
N233 (Incomplete/invalid operative note/report.): Incomplete or invalid operative note or report.
N238 (Incomplete/invalid physician certified plan of care.): Incomplete or invalid physician-certified plan of care.
N29Deactivated (Missing documentation/orders/notes/summary/report/chart.): Its companion remark for missing documentation, also retired.

N225 FAQ

What makes documentation invalid?

Common reasons include missing signatures or dates, records for the wrong date or patient, illegible copies, or a document that does not contain the elements the payer's policy requires.

What is the difference between N225 and N29?

N29 meant the documentation was missing. N225 meant something was received but it was incomplete or not acceptable.

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