What CO-6 means
The service billed is not valid for a patient of this age, according to the payer.
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 birth on file
- Age-specific code billed for the wrong age group
How to fix it
- Verify the date of birth and the code
- Correct and resubmit
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
- CO-4 · Procedure code inconsistent with the modifier, or a required modifier is missing
- CO-5 · Procedure code or bill type inconsistent with the place of service
- CO-8 · Procedure code inconsistent with the provider type or specialty
- CO-11 · Diagnosis inconsistent with the procedure