M62 remark code
The authorization number on the claim is missing, incomplete, or not one the payer recognizes.
“Missing/incomplete/invalid treatment authorization code.”
Start 01/01/1997 · Last modified 02/28/2003 · X12 remark code list
What it usually means in behavioral health
M62 is a remark code, so it explains a claim adjustment reason code on the same line, often 16, 197, or A1. It points at the number itself rather than at whether care was authorized.
In behavioral health it often comes from multi-authorization episodes. A residential stay, its step-down to PHP, and a later IOP authorization each carry their own number, and the claim cites the wrong one for the dates billed.
Common causes
- Authorization number omitted from the claim
- The number from a previous level of care or episode reused on a new claim
- A number from a carved-out behavioral health administrator not recognized by the medical plan, or the reverse
- Formatting the payer rejects, such as extra characters or a missing prefix
Correct and resubmit, or appeal?
Correct and resubmit. M62 is a data problem on the claim, so an appeal rarely helps unless the payer lost a number you submitted correctly.
What to do
Find the authorization that covers exactly the dates and level of care billed.
Enter the number in the format the payer's billing manual requires.
Resubmit or send a corrected claim, and confirm the filing deadline is still open.
Often seen with
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