Dental Denial Code Library
CARC codes: the dental claim denial code library.
A Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) is the short code a payer puts on your ERA or EOB to explain why a dental claim line was adjusted or denied. Most CARCs arrive with a companion RARC (Remittance Advice Remark Code) that points to the exact field that's wrong. Together they tell you who owes the balance and what to fix before you resubmit.
6
CARC codes decoded
10
RARC codes decoded
0
codes to appeal
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Sample ERA · remit summary
CARCWhat it means
CO-16Missing information or billing error
CO-18Duplicate claim already processed
CO-197Precertification/authorization absent
Each CARC pairs with a RARC that names the exact field to fix.
Quick reference
Codes dental practices
see most.
A fast lookup table for the CARC and RARC codes dental practices run into most often on their ERAs. These rows don't link anywhere; for the full step-by-step breakdown of a code, use the published guides below.
Common CARC codes
| Code | What It Means |
|---|---|
| CO-16 | Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s) |
| CO-18 | Duplicate claim/service, an exact duplicate already processed |
| CO-22 | Coordination of benefits needed, may be covered by another payer |
| CO-109 | Claim not covered by this payer/contractor; must be sent to correct payer |
| CO-197 | Precertification/authorization/notification absent |
| CO-252 | Attachment or other documentation required to adjudicate the claim |
Deep-dive guides
Published denial code
guides.
Full breakdowns of the CARC codes dental practices run into most: what the code means, who owes the balance, and the exact steps to fix and resubmit.
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Common questions
A CARC (Claim Adjustment Reason Code) says why a claim line was adjusted and who owes the balance. A RARC (Remittance Advice Remark Code) rides alongside it and points to the exact field that's wrong, so you know what to fix before resubmitting.
Check the published guides below. CO-16 has a full guide today, with more codes being added over time. The CARC and RARC tables above are a quick-reference lookup, not a navigation menu, so the codes in those tables don't link anywhere yet.
Almost never for a “CO” (Contractual Obligation) code like these. Those are data or documentation errors the practice fixes and resubmits as a corrected claim, not coverage decisions to appeal.