Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-258 meaning
CARC 258, usually seen as CO-258: The plan does not cover services while the patient is in custody or incarcerated.
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- Reason code
- CARC 258
- Short name
- Patient in custody
- Plain meaning
- The plan does not cover services while the patient is in custody or incarcerated.
- Group codes
- CO-258: 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 payer shows the patient in state or local custody on that date.
What to check before resubmitting
- Confirm the patient's custody status with the payer.
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-258 mean?
The plan does not cover services while the patient is in custody or incarcerated. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 258. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-258?
Confirm the patient's custody status with the payer.
Can I bill the patient for CO-258?
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 258?
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.