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.
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
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.
Found this code on your bill or EOB?
Upload the document — MD Bill Check decodes every code, checks the math line by line, and explains what's worth questioning.