Referring provider identifier missing or invalid
The referring provider NPI is missing, formatted wrong, or belongs to a provider the payer cannot match.
Usual causes
- Referral required and the referring NPI was left blank.
- Group NPI entered instead of the individual.
- Referring provider not enrolled with the payer.
The fix
Enter the individual referring NPI exactly (loop 2310A or box 17b) and resubmit.
Appeal or corrected claim?
Corrected claim.
Deadline to watch
Timely filing limit.
Exact limits are in your payer contract or provider manual. When in doubt, send the correction or appeal this week.
N286 in short
What does N286 mean?
The referring provider NPI is missing, formatted wrong, or belongs to a provider the payer cannot match. The official X12 text reads: "Missing/incomplete/invalid referring provider primary identifier."
What usually causes a N286 denial?
Referral required and the referring NPI was left blank. Group NPI entered instead of the individual. Referring provider not enrolled with the payer.
How do I fix N286?
Enter the individual referring NPI exactly (loop 2310A or box 17b) and resubmit.
Should I appeal N286 or send a corrected claim?
Corrected claim. Corrected claim.
What deadline applies to N286?
Timely filing limit.