N109Remark Code (RARC)ActiveInformational Alert
Effective 02/28/2002 · Updated 07/01/2015

N109 Remark Code: Claim Selected for Complex Review

The N109 code indicates that the claim or service was selected for complex review. This alert serves as a notification to the biller that additional scrutiny is being applied to the claim, although it does not imply any adjustment or denial at this stage.

What This Alert Tells You

As an informational alert, the N109 remark does not accompany any specific adjustment or reason code. It is meant to inform the provider that their claim is under further examination, potentially due to the complexity of the services rendered.

Common Scenarios

1A provider submits a claim for a surgical procedure that involves multiple components and receives an 835 that includes the N109 remark.
→ In this case, the N109 alert signifies that the claim is undergoing a complex review process, likely due to the intricate nature of the procedure.
2A claim for a high-cost imaging study is billed and the remittance advice returns with the N109 code.
→ The N109 remark indicates that the payer is taking a closer look at the claim because of its complexity or potential cost implications.
3A provider files a claim for a new treatment protocol and sees the N109 remark on their ERA.
→ This suggests that the payer has flagged the claim for complex review, which may be routine for new or unusual services.

What to Do

  1. Do not take any immediate action based on this alert, as it does not require a response or resubmission of the claim.
  2. Monitor the claim's status for any updates or requests from the payer regarding additional documentation.

What to Check

  • Check the claim details against the payer's guidelines for complex reviews to understand potential documentation needs.
  • Review the service documentation to ensure it is complete and ready in case the payer requests it during the review process.
  • Keep an eye on the payer's communication for any follow-up actions related to the complex review.