Healthcare Error Code
Healthcare Insurance / Medical Billing
Common CMS / Medicare Issues
M170 | Missing data
Industry
Healthcare
Canonical
/healthcare/error-codes/m170/
Last Updated
Feb 25, 2026
Summary
This code indicates that required claim data was missing for CMS processing.
Advertisement after-summary
Ad Space
What This Code Means
M170 is applied when CMS cannot adjudicate a claim due to missing data. This is an administrative completeness issue rather than a coverage determination. The claim may be eligible for reprocessing once required data is supplied.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- Medicare remittance advice
- Claim rejection notices
- CMS claim status summaries
Why This Code Appears
- Required fields not completed
- Data transmission issues
- Submission errors
What Typically Happens Next
- Claim processing stops
- Reprocessing may be required
- Payment is delayed
What This Code Is Not
- It is not a coverage denial
- It is not patient responsibility
- It is not a contractual adjustment
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Review required data fields
- □ Confirm submission completeness
- □ Monitor claim status
Notes And Edge Cases
CMS completeness rules vary by claim type. Electronic submissions reduce but do not eliminate missing data.
Related Codes
8 links
Advertisement near-bottom
Ad Space