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CO-96 - Denial Journal
CARC CO — Contractual Obligation

CO-96

Non-covered charge(s)

What This Code Means

The service is specifically excluded from the patient’s benefit plan.

Common Causes

  • Service falls under a plan exclusion (e.g. cosmetic, experimental)
  • Benefit maximum already used for this service type
  • Wrong plan/product billed

How to Resolve or Appeal

  1. Review the specific plan's exclusions
  2. Confirm the correct plan/policy number was billed
  3. If incorrectly denied, request the payer cite the exact exclusion language
  4. Bill patient per financial policy if genuinely excluded

Educational reference only — not medical or legal advice. Always confirm code usage and appeal rights with the specific payer.

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