N314 Remark Code: Diagnosis Date Missing
N314 means the date of diagnosis was missing, incomplete, or invalid. Some payers and programs need to know when a condition was first diagnosed to apply coverage rules, waiting periods, or program eligibility.
Quick facts
- Code
- N314 (RARC N314)
- Status
- Active In use since December 2, 2004.
- Code set
- Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
- Group codes
-
- CO (Contractual Obligation): The provider must correct the diagnosis date; the patient is not billed for the adjustment.
- Official description
Missing/incomplete/invalid diagnosis date.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026- Last verified
- against the official X12 list.
What N314 means
Most claims report diagnoses as codes without dates. Some payers and programs also want to know when the condition was diagnosed, because their rules depend on it: specialized treatment programs, benefits that apply only for a period after diagnosis, or reviews of when a condition arose relative to coverage. N314 means that date wasn’t provided or wasn’t valid.
The remark usually accompanies CARC 16 and is corrected rather than appealed.
Common causes
- The payer’s requirement was new to your practice, so no diagnosis date field was configured.
- The date of the current visit was reported as the diagnosis date by default.
- The patient’s history was incomplete, and the diagnosing provider’s date wasn’t available.
- The date given is later than the date of service or before the patient’s birth date.
How to fix it
- Find out why the payer wants the date and what event it counts as the diagnosis date. Its policy or companion guide should explain.
- Check the clinical record, and outside records if necessary, for when the condition was first diagnosed.
- Enter the date in the field the payer specifies.
- Resubmit a corrected claim with frequency code 7 and the original claim number.
How to prevent it
For conditions and programs where the diagnosis date affects benefits, record it in the problem list as a structured date, not just in narrative notes. Configure payer-specific rules so the date populates only where it’s needed. When patients transfer in from other providers, request diagnosing records early so the date is available before claims go out. For the general mechanics of missing-information denials, see our CARC 16 guide.
Codes that may appear with N314
- CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): Missing or invalid information; N314 names the diagnosis date.
Related and easily confused codes
- M76 (Missing/incomplete/invalid diagnosis or condition.): The diagnosis or condition itself is missing or invalid.
- N337 (Missing/incomplete/invalid secondary diagnosis date.): The secondary diagnosis date is missing or invalid.
- N306 (Missing/incomplete/invalid acute manifestation date.): The acute manifestation date is missing or invalid.
N314 FAQ
How is the diagnosis date different from the onset date?
Onset is when symptoms began. The diagnosis date is when a clinician formally identified the condition. They can be weeks or years apart.
Which claims need a diagnosis date?
It is not a common requirement on routine claims. It comes up with specific programs, pre-existing condition reviews, and payers that tie benefits to when a condition was diagnosed.
What if the diagnosis was made by another provider?
Use the date documented in the records you have, and obtain outside records if needed. Don't estimate a date the record doesn't support.