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N798 Remark Code: Void Original, Then Submit New Claim

N798 means the change you tried to make can't be handled as a replacement or adjustment. The payer wants you to submit a void (cancel) request for the original claim and then file a completely new claim with the correct information.

Quick facts

Code
N798 (RARC N798)
Status
Active In use since November 1, 2017.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The correction was not processed as submitted. The provider needs to void and rebill; nothing shifts to the patient.
Official description
Submit a void request for the original claim and resubmit a new claim.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N798 means

Payers give providers two ways to fix a processed claim: replace it (frequency code 7) or cancel it (frequency code 8). A replacement keeps the original claim and overwrites its contents. A void wipes it out. N798 says your situation needs the second route. The payer wants the original claim voided first, and then a brand-new claim, not a replacement.

That usually happens when the correction changes something the payer treats as part of the claim’s identity, and it typically appears with CARC 16 or CARC 129.

When payers require void-and-rebill

Rules vary by payer, but common triggers include:

  • Wrong patient or member ID on the original claim.
  • Wrong billing provider or tax ID.
  • Claim sent to the wrong payer or plan under the same payer.
  • A change in claim type, such as moving services between institutional and professional billing.
  • Replacement attempted where the payer only accepts voids for certain claim types.

What to do

  1. Read the remittance to confirm which original claim number the payer is referring to.
  2. Submit the void using frequency code 8 and that original claim number, electronically or in box 22 on paper.
  3. Wait for the void to process. Payers often reject a new claim that overlaps a claim still active on their system, and sending too early can trigger a duplicate denial.
  4. Submit the new claim as an original (frequency code 1) with the corrected data, without referencing the voided claim number.
  5. Reconcile any payment. If the original claim had paid, expect a recoupment on a later remittance.

How to prevent it

  • Verify the patient, member ID, and billing provider before the first submission. These errors are the most likely to force a void. See eligibility and COB denials.
  • Keep a short payer-by-payer guide on which fields can be changed by replacement.
  • Track voids and new claims together so a recoupment isn’t mistaken for a new problem.

Codes that may appear with N798

  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): A submission or billing error, here the way the correction was submitted.
  • CO-129 (Prior processing information appears incorrect.): Prior processing information appears incorrect, often when a replacement references the wrong original.
  • N779 (Replacement/Void claims cannot be submitted until the original claim has finalized.): Replacement or void claims can't be sent until the original claim has finalized.
  • N517 (Resubmit a new claim with the requested information.): The payer asks for a new claim with requested information, without mentioning a void.
  • OA-18 (Exact duplicate claim/service (Use only with Group Code OA except where state workers' compensation regulations requires CO)): An exact duplicate denial, which can happen if you send a new claim without voiding the original.

N798 FAQ

Why can't I just send a corrected claim?

Some fields identify the claim itself, such as the patient, the payer, or the billing provider. Many payers won't let a replacement change those, so they require the old claim to be canceled and a new one filed.

How do I void a claim?

Electronically, you resend the original claim with frequency code 8 and the payer's original claim number. On paper, use code 8 in box 22 with the original reference number. Some payers also accept voids through their portal.

Will the new claim be treated as late?

It can be. The new claim is generally measured against the payer's filing limit, so act quickly and keep proof of your original timely submission in case you need it.