Denial Code 246 (CO-246, PR-246) — Meaning & What to Do
Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC)
What denial code 246 means: This service isn't payable per a payer's review decision.
What to do about denial code 246: If you believe this is wrong, you can appeal with supporting notes from your doctor.
CO-246 vs PR-246 vs OA-246: what the prefix means
| Code on your EOB | What the prefix means | Who typically pays |
|---|---|---|
| CO-246 | Contractual obligation — the provider writes the amount off | Usually not the patient |
| PR-246 | Patient responsibility | The patient |
| OA-246 | Other adjustment | Often another payer or plan |
The prefix tells you who is expected to absorb the amount; the number (246) tells you why.
Related codes
CARC 243Services aren't authorized by network or plan providers.
CARC 251The attachment or documentation needed to process this is missing.
CARC 242Services weren't provided by network or approved providers.
CARC 253A federal sequestration (across-the-board) reduction was applied.
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 246
What does denial code 246 mean on my EOB?
This service isn't payable per a payer's review decision.
What should I do about denial code 246?
If you believe this is wrong, you can appeal with supporting notes from your doctor.
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.