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190
CO - Contractual ObligationCoding/Billing
Denial Code CO-190: Bi-lateral Procedure Adjustment
What Does Code 190 Mean?
Payment is adjusted when a bilateral procedure is billed. Standard bilateral reduction may apply, or the procedure may not be recognized as bilateral.
Group Code CO (Contractual Obligation): The provider has agreed to accept the payer's determination. The patient is generally not responsible for this amount.
Why Does This Happen?
Bilateral modifier -50 applied but payer does not recognize the procedure as bilateral, or the payment reduction is standard.
How to Resolve It
- 1Verify the procedure qualifies for bilateral billing
- 2Check if the payer requires modifier -50 or -RT/-LT
- 3Resubmit with the correct bilateral billing method
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