What does denial code CO-26 mean?

Expenses incurred before coverage began. The date of service is before the patient's coverage started.

How do I fix a CO-26 denial?

Verify eligibility for the date of service. Bill the plan that was active then, or the patient.

Pricing

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Claim adjustment reason code · Contractual obligation

CO-26
Expenses incurred before coverage began

What CO-26 means

The date of service is before the patient's coverage started.

The CO group code means this amount is a contractual obligation: under most contracts you cannot bill it to the patient.

Common causes

Wrong date of service
Patient's new plan not yet active

How to fix it

Verify eligibility for the date of service
Bill the plan that was active then, or the patient

Check the remark code (RARC) that came with the denial and the payer's own policy, since rules vary by payer and plan. This is a plain-English summary written by GetMax; the official code text is published by X12 at x12.org/codes.

Prevent it next time

Most denials are caused before the claim is sent. See 12 ways to reduce claim denials, or let our denial management team work them for you.

Other codes

All denial codes →

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CO-26Expenses incurred before coverage began