CO-234Contractual ObligationContractual
CO-234 Denial Code: Procedure not paid separately
This procedure isn't separately payable — bundled by policy, with the paired remark code naming the specific rule.
Why CO-234 happens
- ●Status-indicator packaging (OPPS packaged services)
- ●Always-bundled codes billed as separate lines
How to fix a CO-234 denial
- 1
Read the remark code; if a modifier legitimately unbundles, rebill with documentation
- 2
Otherwise write off as bundled
How to prevent it
Load payer packaging logic into the scrubber to catch these pre-submission.
Drowning in CO-234 denials?
OakClaim works every denial within 48 hours and builds prevention rules so they stop recurring.