Denial Code 22 (CO-22, PR-22) — Meaning & What to Do
Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC)
What denial code 22 means: Another insurance should be billed first (you may have primary coverage elsewhere).
What to do about denial code 22: Confirm which insurance is primary and make sure the correct one was billed first.
CO-22 vs PR-22 vs OA-22: what the prefix means
| Code on your EOB | What the prefix means | Who typically pays |
|---|---|---|
| CO-22 | Contractual obligation — the provider writes the amount off | Usually not the patient |
| PR-22 | Patient responsibility | The patient |
| OA-22 | Other adjustment | Often another payer or plan |
The prefix tells you who is expected to absorb the amount; the number (22) tells you why.
Related codes
CARC 18This looks like a duplicate of a claim already submitted.
CARC 23Payment was affected by a prior payer's decision (coordination of benefits).
CARC 16The claim is missing information or has an error that must be fixed before it can be processed.
CARC 27Coverage had ended when this service was provided.
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 22
What does denial code 22 mean on my EOB?
Another insurance should be billed first (you may have primary coverage elsewhere).
What should I do about denial code 22?
Confirm which insurance is primary and make sure the correct one was billed first.
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.