What does remark code N23 mean?


Editorial team Published on

Denial code OA 23 means a secondary or subsequent payer has adjusted or denied a claim because a prior (primary) insurance payer already processed and paid or adjusted it.

Breakdown of the Code

  • OA (Other Adjustment): A Claim Adjustment Group Code indicating an administrative adjustment rather than patient responsibility or a contractual write-off.
  • 23 (Reason Code): A Claim Adjustment Reason Code showing that the payer cannot finish processing until it accounts for the primary insurer's payment or adjustment.

Common Causes

  • Missing Primary EOB: The secondary insurance did not receive the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) from the primary insurance.
  • Incorrect Billing Order: The claim was sent to the secondary insurance before the primary insurance processed it.
  • Coordination of Benefits (COB) Errors: Patient insurance details or sequence ranks are wrong in the provider's system.

How to Resolve It

  • Check the EOB: Review the primary payer's remittance advice to see what was paid or adjusted.
  • Resubmit with Primary Payment Data: Ensure the secondary claim includes the primary payer's payment and adjustment amounts attached properly.
  • Update COB: Verify active insurance sequences with the patient and the insurance company.