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N29 Remark Code (Deactivated): Missing Documentation

N29 meant documentation the payer needed, such as orders, notes, a summary, a report, or the chart, was missing. X12 deactivated it once explicit remark codes for specific documents were approved, and payers now name the exact document missing.

X12 deactivated RARCN29 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: N29 (RARC N29)
Status: Deactivated StoppedMarch 1, 2016 (in use since January 1, 2000).
Code set: Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): Accompanied CO documentation denials; the provider had to send the records.
Official description: Missing 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 N29 meant

Remark N29 was one of the most widely used documentation remarks. It said the payer needed records to decide the claim and did not have them, listing orders, notes, summaries, reports, and charts as examples. Because it covered so many document types, providers often had to call to learn exactly what to send.

What replaced it

X12 did not name a single replacement. Its notes explain that explicit remarks were approved and this non-specific one would be retired. Examples of active document-specific remarks include M127 for the medical record, M29 for the operative report, and N900 for therapy notes. The adjustment code is often CO-252. Its companion remark for incomplete documentation was N225.

If you still see N29

It was in use for many years, so older claims in your A/R may carry it. Ask the payer which document it needs, send it through the attachment process with the claim number, and confirm receipt.

M127 (Missing patient medical record for this service.): Missing patient medical record for this service.
M29 (Missing operative note/report.): Missing operative note or report.
N900 (Missing Therapy Notes/Report.): Missing therapy notes or report.
CO-252 (An attachment/other documentation is required to adjudicate this claim/service.): An attachment or other documentation is required to adjudicate the claim.

N29 FAQ

Why was N29 retired?

It was too general. X12's notes say explicit remark codes were approved for specific documents, so a non-specific one was no longer needed.

What was N29's partner code?

N225, which covered documentation that was incomplete or invalid rather than missing. Both were retired together.

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