How To Fix Remark Code M660 (RARC) | Common Reasons, Next Steps & How To Avoid It

Remark Code N453 means that a consultation report is missing. This code is used to indicate that a claim has been denied or adjusted due to the absence of a consultation report. It is important for medical coders and healthcare providers to understand the reasons for this remark code and the necessary steps to rectify the situation.

1. Description

Remark Code N453 signifies that a consultation report is missing. The official description states: ‘Missing Consultation Report.’ This remark code was implemented on July 1, 2008, and serves as a reminder of the importance of including consultation reports in medical documentation.

2. Common Reasons

1. Lack of communication between healthcare providers: Sometimes, the primary healthcare provider fails to request or obtain a consultation report from a specialist or another healthcare professional.
2. Incomplete medical records: The absence of a consultation report may be due to incomplete medical records, where the report was not properly filed or documented.
3. Lost or misplaced consultation report: In some cases, the consultation report may have been misplaced or lost during the medical record management process.
4. Failure to follow documentation guidelines: Healthcare providers may overlook the requirement to include consultation reports in the medical documentation, leading to claim denials or adjustments.

3. Next Steps

1. Contact the healthcare provider who conducted the consultation: Reach out to the healthcare provider who performed the consultation to request a copy of the missing report.
2. Ensure the consultation report is properly documented: Once the missing report is obtained, ensure it is accurately documented in the patient’s medical records.
3. Submit the corrected claim: After obtaining the missing consultation report and updating the medical records, resubmit the claim with the necessary documentation.

4. How To Avoid It

1. Establish clear communication between healthcare providers: Ensure that primary healthcare providers communicate with specialists and other healthcare professionals to request and obtain consultation reports.
2. Follow documentation guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the documentation requirements and guidelines set forth by insurance companies and regulatory bodies to ensure all necessary reports are included in the medical documentation.
3. Implement effective medical record management: Develop efficient systems and processes to prevent the loss or misplacement of consultation reports during the medical record management process.

5. Example Cases

1. Case 1: A claim is denied because the consultation report from a specialist was not included in the medical documentation, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation.
2. Case 2: A claim adjustment occurs due to the absence of a consultation report, leading to the need for obtaining the missing report and resubmitting the claim with the necessary documentation.

Source: Remittance Advice Remark Codes