GetMax

Remittance advice remark code

M51
Missing, incomplete or invalid procedure code

What M51 means

A procedure code on the claim is missing or not valid.

How to fix it

  1. Check the CPT/HCPCS code and its validity on the date of service
  2. Correct and resubmit

Check the remark code (RARC) that came with the denial and the payer's own policy, since rules vary by payer and plan. This is a plain-English summary written by GetMax; the official code text is published by X12 at x12.org/codes.

Prevent it next time

Most denials are caused before the claim is sent. See 12 ways to reduce claim denials, or let our denial management team work them for you.

Other codes

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Let us work your denials.

We triage every denial by code and payer, fix or appeal it, and stop it repeating.

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