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N444 Remark Code: High Cost Outlier Election Not Filed

N444 is an alert that the facility has not filed the Election for High Cost Outlier form with the Division of Workers' Compensation. Without that election on file, the carrier priced the workers' compensation facility claim without the high cost outlier method.

Quick facts

Code
N444 (RARC N444)
Status
Active In use since July 1, 2008.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The claim was priced under the jurisdiction's standard method because no outlier election was on file. The difference is not billable to the injured worker.
Official description
Alert: This facility has not filed the Election for High Cost Outlier form with the Division of Workers' Compensation.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N444 means

N444 is an informational alert for facilities billing workers’ compensation. Some state systems let hospitals elect a high cost outlier payment method for unusually expensive cases, and that election is filed with the state’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. N444 tells you the carrier found no election on file for your facility, so it priced the claim without that method.

The alert usually appears with a jurisdictional fee schedule adjustment such as CARC P12.

What to do

  1. Check your facility’s status with the state workers’ compensation agency to confirm whether an election was filed and when it takes effect.
  2. Decide whether to file. Finance and managed care leaders should weigh the outlier method against standard pricing for your case mix.
  3. Ask about affected claims. If an election was filed but not recognized, give the carrier proof and request repricing.
  4. Record the jurisdiction’s rules so future workers’ compensation claims are priced as expected.

Since state rules differ, confirm the requirements with the specific jurisdiction before acting.

Codes that may appear with N444

  • CO-P12 (Workers' compensation jurisdictional fee schedule adjustment.): A workers' compensation jurisdictional fee schedule adjustment.
  • CO-P13 (Payment reduced or denied based on workers' compensation jurisdictional regulations or payment policies, use only if no other code is applicable.): Payment reduced based on workers' compensation jurisdictional regulations or payment policies.
  • N442 (Payment based on an alternate fee schedule.): Payment based on an alternate fee schedule.
  • CO-45 (Charge exceeds fee schedule/maximum allowable or contracted/legislated fee arrangement.): Charges exceed the fee schedule or maximum allowable.

N444 FAQ

What is a high cost outlier election?

In jurisdictions that offer it, a facility can choose to be paid under a high cost outlier method for very expensive cases. The election is filed with the state workers' compensation agency.

Can I get the claim repriced?

Ask the carrier and the agency. Whether an election can apply to claims already billed depends on the jurisdiction's rules and the election's effective date.

Does N444 apply to professional claims?

It concerns facility claims. The remark refers to the facility's election status with the workers' compensation agency.