M76 remark code

Remittance advice remark code M76. Remark codes add detail to the reason code on the same claim line.

Missing or invalid diagnosis code

Unofficial reference. This is our own plain-English explanation, not the official code text. Payer rules differ. Verify with the payer and the official X12 code list. AlphaPrefix is not affiliated with X12, CMS or any payer. Data last updated Nov 11, 2026.

What M76 means

The diagnosis or condition code on the claim or line is missing, incomplete or not valid.

The payer could not find a usable diagnosis for the claim or for the line in question. The code may be blank, truncated, invalid for the date, or the diagnosis pointer on the line may not point to a code.

It usually comes with reason code 16, and sometimes with 11 when the diagnosis does not fit the service. The remark itself points to a data problem.

Common causes

• The diagnosis code was not coded to the full number of characters required.
• A line's diagnosis pointer was empty or pointed to a blank position.
• The code was deleted or not yet valid on the date of service.

What to do next

1. Check each diagnosis code for validity and full length on the date of service.
2. Check that every line points to at least one diagnosis.
3. Send a corrected claim with the fixed diagnosis information.

Related codes

• 16 (reason code) Missing information or billing error
• M81 (remark code) Code to the highest level of detail
• MA63 (remark code) Missing or invalid principal diagnosis