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.
Seeing denial code 22 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 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
- What Is an Itemized Medical Bill? How to Request One
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.
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.