Denial Code 189 (CO-189, PR-189) — Meaning & What to Do
Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC)
What denial code 189 means: A not-otherwise-classified code was used when a specific code exists.
What to do about denial code 189: Ask the provider's billing office to explain or correct this, and resubmit if needed.
CO-189 vs PR-189 vs OA-189: what the prefix means
| Code on your EOB | What the prefix means | Who typically pays |
|---|---|---|
| CO-189 | Contractual obligation — the provider writes the amount off | Usually not the patient |
| PR-189 | Patient responsibility | The patient |
| OA-189 | Other adjustment | Often another payer or plan |
The prefix tells you who is expected to absorb the amount; the number (189) tells you why.
Related codes
CARC 188This product/procedure is only covered when used with another service.
CARC 192A non-standard adjustment was applied by the plan.
CARC 187This relates to a consumer-spending-account (like an HSA/FSA) payment.
CARC 193The original claim was rejected or denied for a coverage reason.
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 189
What does denial code 189 mean on my EOB?
A not-otherwise-classified code was used when a specific code exists.
What should I do about denial code 189?
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.