Healthcare Error Code
Healthcare Insurance / Medical Billing
Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARC)
N286 | Missing/incomplete documentation
Industry
Healthcare
Canonical
/healthcare/error-codes/n286/
Last Updated
Feb 25, 2026
Summary
This code indicates that required supporting documentation was missing or incomplete.
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What This Code Means
N286 signals that documentation needed to support claim adjudication was not provided or did not meet requirements. This is an administrative issue rather than a coverage determination. The payer cannot complete review without sufficient documentation. The service itself may still be eligible for payment once documentation is received.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- Remittance advice remark sections
- Claim review notices
- Documentation request summaries
Why This Code Appears
- Required documents were not submitted
- Submitted documentation was incomplete
- Documentation did not meet payer standards
What Typically Happens Next
- Claim processing is paused or denied
- Additional review may occur after submission
- Payment is delayed
What This Code Is Not
- It is not a non-covered service decision
- It is not a contractual adjustment
- It is not a duplicate claim indicator
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Review documentation requirements
- □ Confirm completeness of records
- □ Track submission deadlines
Notes And Edge Cases
Documentation requirements vary by payer and service type. Timing of submission can affect processing outcomes.
Related Codes
8 links
- N432 CodeMissing/incomplete information
- CO-16 CodeClaim lacks required information
- N240 CodeIncomplete claim
- N216 CodeMissing authorization
- N290 CodeMissing/incomplete provider identifier
- N20 CodeService not payable
- N272 CodeCoordination of benefits issue
- CO-33 CodeInsufficient documentation
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