Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-249 meaning
CARC 249, usually seen as CO-249: The payer identified this claim as a readmission.
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- Reason code
- CARC 249
- Short name
- Readmission
- Plain meaning
- The payer identified this claim as a readmission.
- Group codes
- CO-249: 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 patient was readmitted within the payer's window.
What to check before resubmitting
- Check the readmission policy and whether the stays are related.
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-249 mean?
The payer identified this claim as a readmission. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 249. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-249?
Check the readmission policy and whether the stays are related.
Can I bill the patient for CO-249?
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 249?
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.