UB04 Release of Info Certification Code N: No, the provider does not have a signed statement on file permitting the release of data.

Overview

According to the Maryland Medicaid UB‑04 billing instructions, Code N in Field 52 (Release of Information Certification) is designated as RESERVED for assignment by the National Uniform Billing Committee (NUBC). The source document lists it among other adjustment‑origin codes (J through Q) and explicitly states: “N RESERVED Reserved for Assignment by NUBC.” Because it is reserved, no functional definition has been assigned in this jurisdiction, and the code is not intended for routine provider use Any submission using Code N could be rejected or ignored by the payer, as it does not match any valid certification status recognized in the Maryland Medicaid UB‑04 processing rules. ^[1]

When to Use

Based solely on the Maryland Medicaid source, Code N should not be used on any claim. The code is explicitly listed as “RESERVED,” meaning it has no current billing purpose. Providers are directed to use only the codes that have defined meanings for Release of Information Certification Using a reserved code may cause the claim to fail electronic edits or result in a clearinghouse rejection. In no circumstance does the Maryland guidance permit Code N to indicate “no signed statement on file” – that meaning is associated with a different alpha code in the same field. Therefore, when completing the UB‑04 for Maryland Medicaid, billers must verify that they are selecting the correct active code and avoid entering Code N in FL 52. ^[1]

Step-by-Step Claim Example

Because Code N is reserved and not valid for use, a standard claim example cannot be constructed. Instead, the example below illustrates the correct procedure using a valid code (e.g., Code M for “no signed statement”) to demonstrate the workflow.

1. Situation: A hospital is billing an inpatient stay for a patient who did not sign a statement permitting release of information.
2. Field 52 Entry: The biller enters M (not N) in FL 52.
3. Supporting Documentation: No signed statement is on file; the medical record confirms the patient’s refusal.
4. Claim Submission: The claim is sent with Code M, which the payer system recognizes as valid.
5. Result: The claim processes normally; no data about a release certification is expected from the provider for a non‑signed case.

Had Code N been mistakenly entered, the claim would likely be rejected because the payer’s edit tables treat N as reserved or unrecognized. The Maryland Medicaid instructions explicitly list N as reserved, so any attempt to use it would be an error. ^[1]

Common Mistakes & Audit Red Flags

• Using Code N for “No signed statement”: The most frequent error is assuming Code N means no signed statement. In the Maryland guidance, N is reserved; the correct code for that situation is M. Using N will likely cause an edit failure.
• Ignoring reserved status: Some billing software may auto‑populate or allow entry of Code N. Providers must override such defaults to use only active codes.
• Payer‑specific rejections: Even if a different payer defines N as “no signed statement,” Maryland Medicaid will not accept it. Always verify the specific payer’s requirements.
• Audit risk: If a claim with Code N is accidentally paid, a post‑payment audit may flag it as invalid data. The provider could face recoupment or be asked to resubmit with the correct codemaryland.gov/mmcp/provider/Documents/ffs-billing/UB04-Hospital-Billing-Instructions%20%281%29.pdf)

Related Codes/Fields

The following codes are listed in the Maryland Medicaid source alongside Code N. Note that N is reserved while others are assigned.

Code	Meaning (per Maryland Medicaid source)	Field
J	Initiated Adjustment Claim – Intermediary	FL 52 (origin‑related)
K	OIG Initiated Adjustment Claim	FL 52
L	Reserved for Assignment by NUBC	FL 52
M	MSP Initiated Adjustment Claim	FL 52
N	Reserved for Assignment by NUBC	FL 52
O	Non‑Payment/Zero Claim	FL 52
P	QIO Adjustment Claim	FL 52
Q	Claim Submitted for Reconsideration/Reopening Outside of T	FL 52

Note: These codes appear in the same list as Field 52, but the source groups them under a section on adjustment‑initiated claims. Providers should confirm the exact field assignment with their specific payer guidelines. ^[1]

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References

[1] Maryland Medicaid (Code N) — https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/provider/Documents/ffs-billing/UB04-Hospital-Billing-Instructions%20%281%29.pdf