Is the payer's remark code right?

Starting January 1, 2027, payers must put a No Surprises Act remark code on out-of-network remits telling you whether state law or federal IDR applies. Payers are reporting that themselves. Check the code against the plan type and your state's law before you accept it.

Check a code

Remark code on the remit

Date of service

Plan type

Payers must now give plan type with initial payment notices. Ask if it's missing.

What the state tracker shows for this state

Look up the state if you haven't.

Service scenario

Patient signed a notice-and-consent waiver?

Anesthesia, radiology, pathology and emergency services can't be waived this way.

Result

What to do next

Draft a letter Check the state's law

The nine required codes

Code	What the payer is telling you	Federal IDR?
`N871`	Initial payment was set by a specified state law	No, state process
`N877`	Initial payment under the NSA, based on the QPA or billed amount if lower	Yes, after open negotiation
`N876`	Covered, but no payment made; NSA amount applies	Yes, after open negotiation
`N944`	Covered, but no payment made; state law or All-Payer Model applies	No, state process
`N872`	Final payment set by a specified state law	No
`N873`	Final payment set under an All-Payer Model Agreement	No
`N874`	Final payment agreed in open negotiation	No, resolved
`N875`	Final payment set by a certified IDR entity	No, decided
`N943`	Not subject to the surprise billing protections	No

Key dates

Nov 1, 2026Codes enter the industry code set. New batching rules apply.

Jan 1, 2027Payers must use the codes for services on or after this date.

Through Aug 2028IDR Gateway, payer registry and other changes roll out in stages.