Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-222 meaning
CARC 222, usually seen as CO-222: The service went past the contracted maximum hours, days or units for this provider in the period.
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- Reason code
- CARC 222
- Short name
- Over the contracted maximum
- Plain meaning
- The service went past the contracted maximum hours, days or units for this provider in the period.
- Group codes
- CO-222: 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
- Units billed exceed the contract's limit for the period.
What to check before resubmitting
- Check the contract limits and the units billed.
Remark codes that often come with it
Related reason codes
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-222 mean?
The service went past the contracted maximum hours, days or units for this provider in the period. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 222. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-222?
Check the contract limits and the units billed.
Can I bill the patient for CO-222?
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 222?
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.