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53
CO - Contractual ObligationCoverage
Denial Code CO-53: Primary Payer Amount
What Does Code 53 Mean?
Payment adjusted because charges were paid by the primary payer. This payer is secondary and adjusting based on what the primary already paid.
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?
Coordination of benefits -- the primary payer has already made payment.
How to Resolve It
- 1Verify the primary payer EOB is attached
- 2Ensure the correct COB order
- 3Resubmit with primary payer's payment information
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