Claim adjustment reason code
Denial code CO-33 meaning
CARC 33, usually seen as CO-33: The subscriber's plan does not cover dependents.
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- Reason code
- CARC 33
- Short name
- No dependent coverage
- Plain meaning
- The subscriber's plan does not cover dependents.
- Group codes
- CO-33: 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 policy is employee-only coverage.
What to check before resubmitting
- Confirm the coverage tier with the payer.
- Ask the patient about other coverage.
Related reason codes
Related pages
Questions
What does denial code CO-33 mean?
The subscriber's plan does not cover dependents. This is Rivvi's plain-English summary of CARC 33. X12's exact wording is on x12.org.
How do I fix CO-33?
Confirm the coverage tier with the payer. Ask the patient about other coverage.
Can I bill the patient for CO-33?
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 33?
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.