Skip to main content

N899 Remark Code: Missing Initial Evaluation Report

N899 means the initial evaluation report was not received. Payers use that first assessment to confirm the diagnosis, baseline function, and plan of care that justify the services billed, most often for therapy and rehabilitation.

Quick facts

Code
N899 (RARC N899)
Status
Active In use since July 1, 2024.
Code set
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The amount not paid until the initial evaluation is provided. It is the provider's documentation responsibility, so do not bill the patient.
Official description
Missing Initial Evaluation Report.
X12 Remittance Advice Remark Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What N899 means

The initial evaluation is the foundation of an episode of care. It documents why the patient needs treatment and what treatment is planned. When a payer reviews a claim, especially one of a series of visits, it may want to see that document first.

N899 is narrow: the evaluation is missing. The payer did not receive it at all, whether it was never sent, attached to the wrong claim, or lost in transmission. If the payer had received it and found it deficient, you would more likely see N768.

Common causes

  • The payer requested records and the evaluation was not included.
  • Documentation was sent for the visit billed but not for the evaluation visit it depends on.
  • A workers’ compensation or auto carrier requires the evaluation with the first bill and it was not attached.
  • The attachment control number on the claim did not match the documents sent.

How to fix it

  1. Locate the signed initial evaluation for the episode of care.
  2. Send it through the payer’s attachment method, referencing the claim number.
  3. Resubmit or request reprocessing as the payer directs. Use frequency code 7 if a corrected claim is required.
  4. Include the plan of care if the payer’s policy also requires it.

How to prevent it

For payers that routinely ask for evaluations, attach the evaluation to the first claim in each episode and keep a flag on the patient account so staff know it has been sent.

Codes that may appear with N899

  • CO-252 (An attachment/other documentation is required to adjudicate this claim/service.): An attachment is required; N899 says it is the initial evaluation.
  • CO-16 (Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s).): The claim lacks information needed for adjudication.
  • CO-226 (Information requested from the Billing/Rendering Provider was not provided or not provided timely or was insufficient/incomplete.): Information requested from the billing or rendering provider was not provided or not provided in time.
  • N768 (Incomplete/invalid initial evaluation report.): The initial evaluation was received but is incomplete or invalid.
  • N900 (Missing Therapy Notes/Report.): Ongoing therapy notes or reports, rather than the initial evaluation, are missing.
  • N465 (Missing Physical Therapy Notes/Report.): Physical therapy notes or report are missing.

N899 FAQ

What should an initial evaluation report include?

Generally the reason for referral, history, objective findings and tests, diagnosis, functional limitations, goals, and the plan of care with frequency and duration. Payer and program requirements vary.

Why is it needed for later visits?

Payers often review follow-up treatment against the original evaluation to see whether services match the plan of care and whether the patient is progressing.

Is N899 common in workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation and auto carriers often require the initial evaluation before authorizing or paying ongoing treatment, but group health payers use it too. Follow the specific payer's rules.