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CO-P10 Denial Code: Payment Reduced to Zero, Litigation

CO-P10 means a property and casualty carrier reduced payment to zero because of litigation. The carrier won't pay now and will send more information when the litigation ends. Keep the bill open and track the case.

Quick facts

Code
CO-P10 (CARC P10)
Status
Active In use since November 1, 2013.
Code set
Claim Adjustment Reason Codes (CARC)
Group codes
  • CO (Contractual Obligation): The usual group. Nothing is paid now; state rules often restrict billing the claimant while litigation is pending.
Official description
Payment reduced to zero due to litigation. Additional information will be sent following the conclusion of litigation. To be used for Property and Casualty only.
X12 Claim Adjustment Reason Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified
against the official X12 list.

What CO-P10 means

CARC P10 says payment reduced to zero due to litigation. Additional information will be sent following the conclusion of litigation. X12 limits it to property and casualty claims. It replaced deactivated CARC 244.

When a workers’ comp, auto, or liability claim goes into litigation, for example over compensability, coverage, or the extent of injury, the carrier may stop paying medical bills until the case is decided. CO-P10 is how it reports that on a specific bill: the amount paid is zero for now, and the carrier expects to follow up after the litigation.

It isn’t a final denial. It’s a hold with a zero payment attached.

Common causes

  • Compensability disputes in workers’ comp cases before a judge or board.
  • Coverage disputes between the claimant and an auto or liability carrier.
  • Disputes over the extent of injury or related treatment.
  • Claims involving attorneys where the carrier defers payment pending outcome.

How to handle it

  1. Record the litigation status on the account, with the carrier claim number and any attorney contacts.
  2. Ask the adjuster what the litigation concerns and whether it affects all bills or only some services.
  3. Consider a lien or notice to the claimant’s attorney, where state law allows, so your bill is considered in any settlement.
  4. Follow up periodically for status.
  5. When litigation ends, request payment or a final determination. If the result is a denial, get the written decision and bill other coverage.
  6. Check state rules before billing the claimant.

How to prevent problems

  • Identify litigated claims early by asking claimants whether they have an attorney.
  • Keep a separate work queue for litigated P&C accounts so they aren’t written off by mistake.
  • Watch other payers’ filing deadlines in case you need to bill them if the P&C claim fails.

Specialty notes

Orthopedic, spine, pain management, and chiropractic practices treating injury claims frequently deal with litigated cases and benefit from dedicated personal injury workflows.

Remark codes that may appear with CO-P10

  • N611 (Claim in litigation.): The claim is in litigation; contact the insurer for more information.
  • N664 (Adjusted based on a legal settlement.): The adjustment is based on a legal settlement, which may appear once litigation ends.
  • CO-244Deactivated (Payment reduced to zero due to litigation.): The deactivated code that CARC P10 replaced.
  • OA-P11 (The disposition of the related Property & Casualty claim (injury or illness) is pending due to litigation.): The disposition of the related P&C claim is pending due to litigation, reported under OA.
  • CO-P8 (Claim is under investigation.): The claim is under investigation, which may come before litigation.
  • PR-P3 (Workers' Compensation case settled.): A workers' comp case settled, with patient responsibility under an agreement.

CO-P10 FAQ

What's the difference between CO-P10 and OA-P11?

Both involve litigation. CO-P10 reduces this bill's payment to zero and promises more information later. OA-P11 says the disposition of the underlying P&C claim is pending because of litigation.

What should I do with a CO-P10 bill?

Keep the account open, note the litigation, and follow up with the adjuster or the claimant's attorney for status. Don't write it off simply because the payment is zero.

Can I bill the patient's health plan?

Sometimes, depending on the plan and state law. The plan may pay and seek reimbursement later, or deny it pending the P&C outcome. Check before billing.

Is CO-P10 used by health plans?

No. X12 limits it to property and casualty claims.

Does CO-P10 stop timely filing deadlines?

Not necessarily. Deadlines for other payers, and for disputing the P&C bill, may keep running during litigation. Track each deadline separately.