Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-208 meaning
CARC 208, usually seen as CO-208: The National Provider Identifier does not match the payer's records.
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- Reason code
- CARC 208
- Short name
- NPI does not match
- Plain meaning
- The National Provider Identifier does not match the payer's records.
- Group codes
- CO-208: Contractual obligation. The provider absorbs the amount under its contract or the payer's rules. Do not bill the patient for it.
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 NPI is not linked to the tax ID or enrollment the payer has on file.
What to check before resubmitting
- Check the payer's enrollment record for the NPI and tax ID.
- Update the enrollment or the claim.
Remark codes that often come with it
Related reason codes
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-208 mean?
The National Provider Identifier does not match the payer's records. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 208. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-208?
Check the payer's enrollment record for the NPI and tax ID. Update the enrollment or the claim.
Can I bill the patient for CO-208?
With group code CO, no. CO means the provider absorbs the amount under its contract or the payer's rules.
Which group codes come with CARC 208?
Most often CO (contractual obligation). 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.