< Error codes

Error code

R08 — Invalid Referral Number

Invalid referring physician number

The referring physician number on this Reciprocal Medical Billing claim wasn't accepted.

What to do: Check the referring physician's billing number against the written referral; correct it, or remove it if no referral applies.

Code
R08
Description
Invalid Referral Number

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

R08 means the referring physician number on a Reciprocal Medical Billing claim is invalid. Correct it, or remove it if no referral applies.

What it means

Error R08 is the Ministry's "Invalid Referral Number". The referring provider number on the Reciprocal Medical Billing (RMB) claim was not accepted. The Ministry gives no further detail.

Common causes

  • A typing error in the referring physician's number
  • A referral number was entered for a service that doesn't need one

How to fix it

  1. Check the referring physician's billing number against the written referral.
  2. Correct the number and resubmit. If the service doesn't need a referral, remove it.
  3. Resubmit within three months of the service date if you can. If that window has passed but the claim was first submitted on time, use the Ministry's stale-dated resubmission process.

How APEX handles it

APEX reads your error reports and remittance advice from MCEDT and lists claims rejected with this code in its Correction Centre for you to correct and resubmit. See how APEX works · Pricing

Related codes: AC4

Sources