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N73 Remark Code (Deactivated): SNF Pays Under Arrangement

N73 meant a skilled nursing facility was responsible for paying outside providers who furnished services or supplies under arrangement to its residents. X12 deactivated it and suggested MA101 or N200; MA101 was later replaced by N538.

X12 deactivated RARCN73 on January 31, 2004. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Quick facts

Code
N73 (RARC N73)
Status
Deactivated StoppedJanuary 31, 2004 (in use since January 1, 2000).
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): Accompanied CO denials; the outside provider had to seek payment from the SNF.
Official description
A Skilled Nursing Facility is responsible for payment of outside providers who furnish these services/supplies under arrangement to its residents.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N73 meant

Remark N73 went to outside providers that furnished services or supplies to SNF residents under an arrangement with the facility. Because those services are generally included in the SNF’s payment during a covered stay, the outside provider had to look to the facility for payment rather than Medicare.

What replaced it

X12’s note suggested MA101 or N200. MA101 carried a similar SNF message and was later replaced by the broader N538. N200 applies when the professional component must be billed separately. SNF-specific wording also appears in the active N106.

If you still see N73

It only appears in older data. Confirm whether the resident was in a covered SNF stay on the date of service and whether the service is excluded from consolidated billing. If it is bundled, invoice the SNF under your arrangement.

  • MA101Deactivated (A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is responsible for payment of outside providers who furnish these services/supplies to residents.): One suggested replacement, later deactivated in favor of N538.
  • N200 (The professional component must be billed separately.): The other suggested replacement: the professional component must be billed separately.
  • N538 (A facility is responsible for payment to outside providers who furnish these services/supplies/drugs to its patients/residents.): A facility is responsible for payment to outside providers who furnish services to its patients or residents.
  • N106 (Payment for services furnished to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) inpatients (except for excluded services) can only be made to the SNF.): Payment for services furnished to SNF inpatients can only be made to the SNF.

N73 FAQ

What does 'under arrangement' mean?

The SNF contracts with an outside provider to furnish a service to its residents. The SNF bills Medicare as part of its stay and pays the outside provider under their agreement.

Why was N200 suggested as an alternative?

In some cases only the technical portion is bundled into the SNF payment, while the professional component, such as a physician's interpretation, must be billed separately.