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CO-181Contractual ObligationCoding

CO-181 Denial Code: Procedure code invalid on date of service

The procedure code was invalid on the date of service reported.

Why CO-181 happens

  • Deleted or replaced CPT/HCPCS code billed after its end date
  • New code billed before its effective date

How to fix a CO-181 denial

  1. 1

    Look up the valid code for the DOS in the current code set

  2. 2

    Correct and resubmit

How to prevent it

Update code sets in your PM/EHR immediately on quarterly/annual releases.

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