OakClaim
CO-54Contractual ObligationCoding

CO-54 Denial Code: Multiple physicians/assistants not covered

Multiple physicians/assistants are not covered in this case.

Why CO-54 happens

  • Assistant surgeon billed for a procedure that doesn't allow one
  • Co-surgeon billed without the required modifier (62/80/81/82/AS)

How to fix a CO-54 denial

  1. 1

    Check the procedure's assistant-surgery indicator

  2. 2

    Append the correct modifier with documentation, or write off if not allowed

How to prevent it

Verify assistant-at-surgery policies pre-op.

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