Denial Code 137 (CO-137, PR-137) — Meaning & What to Do
Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC)
What denial code 137 means: A regulatory penalty or fee was applied.
What to do about denial code 137: Ask the provider's billing office to explain or correct this, and resubmit if needed.
CO-137 vs PR-137 vs OA-137: what the prefix means
| Code on your EOB | What the prefix means | Who typically pays |
|---|---|---|
| CO-137 | Contractual obligation — the provider writes the amount off | Usually not the patient |
| PR-137 | Patient responsibility | The patient |
| OA-137 | Other adjustment | Often another payer or plan |
The prefix tells you who is expected to absorb the amount; the number (137) tells you why.
Seeing denial code 137 on your EOB?
A denial code tells you what the payer reported, but it may not tell the whole story. Reviewing your EOB and bill together can help clarify what may need attention.
Related codes
CARC 136The claim failed a required 'present on admission' indicator check.
CARC 139Contracted funding limits for this service have been reached.
CARC 133The service is still under review (not final).
CARC 140The patient/insured health-ID number and name don't match.
Keep reviewing your bill
- Medical Bill vs EOB: What Is the Difference?
- How to Dispute a Medical Bill — Find Billing Errors Before You Pay
- What Is an Itemized Medical Bill? How to Request One
Frequently asked questions about Denial code 137
What does denial code 137 mean on my EOB?
A regulatory penalty or fee was applied.
What should I do about denial code 137?
Ask the provider's billing office to explain or correct this, and resubmit if needed.
Seeing this code on your own EOB?
Upload the EOB, the bill, or both — MD Bill Check reads the codes on your documents, compares them side by side, and flags what's worth questioning. Free, no account needed.