CO-149Contractual ObligationEligibility
CO-149 Denial Code: Lifetime maximum reached for this benefit
The patient exhausted the lifetime maximum for this specific service/benefit category (distinct from CO-35's overall lifetime max).
Why CO-149 happens
- ●Benefit-specific lifetime caps (e.g., infertility, bariatric, hearing aids) reached
How to fix a CO-149 denial
- 1
Verify accumulator history with the payer; appeal if their count is wrong
- 2
Shift to patient responsibility with documented benefit exhaustion
How to prevent it
Check benefit-specific maximums during verification for cap-prone services.
Drowning in CO-149 denials?
OakClaim works every denial within 48 hours and builds prevention rules so they stop recurring.