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CO-57 Denial Code (Deactivated): Info Doesn't Support Level

CO-57 meant payment was denied or reduced because the payer believed the information submitted did not support the level of service, number of services, length of service, dosage, or day's supply. X12 split it into codes 150, 151, 152, 153, and 154.

X12 deactivated CARC57 on June 30, 2007. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Quick facts

Code
CO-57 (CARC 57)
Status
Deactivated StoppedJune 30, 2007 (in use since January 1, 1995).
Code set
Claim Adjustment Reason Codes (CARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The provider absorbed the reduction unless it could show documentation supporting what was billed.
Official description
Payment denied/reduced because the payer deems the information submitted does not support this level of service, this many services, this length of service, this dosage, or this day's supply.
X12 Claim Adjustment Reason Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What CO-57 meant

CARC 57 was the payer saying, “what you sent us does not justify what you billed.” The disagreement could be about five different things: the level of service, how many services, how long the service lasted, the dosage given, or the number of days a supply was meant to cover. The claim was denied or paid at a lower level as a result.

What replaced it

X12’s notes say it was split into codes 150 through 154, one for each dimension:

If you still see CO-57

You are probably reviewing old payment history or a claim that was appealed long ago. If a payer sends it now, ask which of the five dimensions they questioned, since the supporting records differ for each.

Pull the documentation for the encounter and compare it to what was billed. For level-of-service questions, check that the note supports the complexity or time claimed. For units, duration, dosage, or supply, look for orders and records showing the amount. If the documentation supports the claim, file an appeal; if it does not, accept the reduction and use the finding to tighten documentation.

  • CO-150 (Payer deems the information submitted does not support this level of service.): Documentation does not support this level of service.
  • CO-151 (Payment adjusted because the payer deems the information submitted does not support this many/frequency of services.): Documentation does not support this many services or this frequency.
  • CO-152 (Payer deems the information submitted does not support this length of service.): Documentation does not support this length of service.
  • CO-153 / CO-154 (Dosage and day's supply.): Used mostly for drugs and supplies when the dose or quantity dispensed is not supported.

CO-57 FAQ

Which code replaced CO-57?

X12 split it into five codes: 150 for level of service, 151 for number or frequency, 152 for length of service, 153 for dosage, and 154 for day's supply.

Can a CO-57 decision be appealed?

Yes, if the payer's appeal window is still open. Send records that show why the level, amount, or duration billed was necessary, focused on the specific element the payer questioned.