Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-149 meaning
CARC 149, usually seen as CO-149: The patient has reached the lifetime limit for this specific service.
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- Reason code
- CARC 149
- Short name
- Lifetime maximum for this service reached
- Plain meaning
- The patient has reached the lifetime limit for this specific service.
- Group codes
- CO-149: Contractual obligation. The provider absorbs the amount under its contract or the payer's rules. Do not bill the patient for it. PR-149: Patient responsibility. The patient, or a secondary payer, may owe the amount.
Plain-English summary written by Rivvi. X12 owns the CARC list and its exact wording, which is not reproduced here. Read it on the X12 CARC list (list dated November 1, 2025, checked October 23, 2026). This page does not decide how a claim is paid.
Common causes
- The plan caps lifetime benefits for this service.
What to check before resubmitting
- Confirm with the payer.
- Bill a secondary payer or the patient as allowed.
Related reason codes
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-149 mean?
The patient has reached the lifetime limit for this specific service. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 149. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-149?
Confirm with the payer. Bill a secondary payer or the patient as allowed.
Can I bill the patient for CO-149?
When it comes with group code PR, the patient or a secondary payer may owe the amount. When it comes with CO, the provider writes it off.
Which group codes come with CARC 149?
Most often CO (contractual obligation) or PR (patient responsibility). The group code, not the reason code, says who owes the amount.
What is the difference between a CARC and a RARC?
A claim adjustment reason code (CARC) says why a claim line was paid differently than billed. A remittance advice remark code (RARC) adds detail, such as which field is missing.