MA36 remark code

Remittance advice remark code MA36. Remark codes add detail to the reason code on the same claim line.

Missing or invalid patient name

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 MA36 means

The patient's name on the claim is missing, incomplete or does not match the payer's enrollment records.

The payer could not match the name on the claim to the member. The name may be misspelled, in the wrong order, or different from what the payer has on file.

It usually comes with reason code 16 or 31 and is fixed with a corrected claim.

Common causes

• The first and last names were swapped.
• The patient goes by a nickname or a changed name that is not on the payer's file.
• The claim showed the subscriber's name where the patient's was needed, or the reverse.

What to do next

1. Compare the patient's name with the insurance card and eligibility response.
2. Correct the name in the patient record.
3. Resubmit the claim with the name exactly as the payer has it.

Related codes

• MA27 (remark code) Missing or invalid entitlement ID or name
• MA61 (remark code) Missing or invalid Social Security number
• 16 (reason code) Missing information or billing error