CO-249Contractual ObligationContractual
CO-249 Denial Code: Identified as a readmission
The admission was classified as a readmission under the payer's readmission payment policy — payment reduced or denied accordingly.
Why CO-249 happens
- ●Return admission within the payer's readmission window (often 30 days) deemed related
How to fix a CO-249 denial
- 1
Appeal with documentation showing the readmission was unrelated or planned
- 2
Review the payer's readmission methodology for miscategorization
How to prevent it
Discharge planning and transitional care reduce both readmissions and these denials.
Drowning in CO-249 denials?
OakClaim works every denial within 48 hours and builds prevention rules so they stop recurring.