Denial code · Contractual Obligation (CO)
CO-97 denial code
The payer already paid for this service as part of another service.
What the code means
Official meaning: The benefit for this service is included in the payment/allowance for another service/procedure that has already been adjudicated.
In plain words: The payer already paid for this service as part of another service.
The usual fix
Check the payer's bundling rules before billing the pair together. Bill only the service the payer pays on its own.
This is general information, not advice on a specific claim.
Learn on the job
Learn on the job with real denied claims.
Working denied claims is the medical claims desk's daily work. Read a code, find what is missing, fix the claim, or write the appeal.