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CO-W3 Denial Code (Deactivated): Included in Other Service

CO-W3 meant the benefit for the service was included in the payment for another service performed on the same day, for property and casualty claims. X12 deactivated it and its notes direct payers to code P14.

X12 deactivated CARCW3 on July 1, 2014. Payers should no longer use it on new remittances, but it can still appear on older ERAs, corrected claims, and appeals.

Code: CO-W3 (CARC W3)
Status: Deactivated StoppedJuly 1, 2014 (in use since September 30, 2012).
Code set: Claim Adjustment Reason Codes (CARC)
Group codes: CO (Contractual Obligation): The bundled amount was a provider adjustment, not billable to the injured person.
Official description: The Benefit for this Service is included in the payment/allowance for another service/procedure that has been performed on the same day. Note: Refer to the 835 Healthcare Policy Identification Segment (loop 2110 Service Payment Information REF), if present. For use by Property and Casualty only.
X12 Claim Adjustment Reason Codes, retrieved September 25, 2026
Last verified: September 24, 2026 against the official X12 list.

What CO-W3 meant

CARC W3 was the bundling code for property and casualty claims, which include workers’ compensation. It said the service was considered part of another service performed the same day, so no separate payment was due. The payer could point to the relevant policy in the 835’s line-level reference field.

What replaced it

X12’s note says to use code P14. CO-P14 carries the same description within the P-series. For comparison, health plans use CO-97 for the same concept, and CO-236 when two procedures are incompatible under coding edits.

If you still see CO-W3

Older workers’ compensation or auto files may show it. Review the bundling rules in the applicable state fee schedule, since many jurisdictions adopt national edit sets with state-specific changes. If the service was separate and documented as such, rebill with the appropriate modifier or request reconsideration. If not, accept the adjustment.

CO-P14 (The Benefit for this Service is included in the payment/allowance for another service/procedure that has been performed on the same day.): Named replacement: included in the allowance for another service performed the same day, property and casualty only.
CO-97 (The benefit for this service is included in the payment/allowance for another service/procedure that has already been adjudicated.): The health plan equivalent for services included in another service's payment.
CO-236 (This procedure or procedure/modifier combination is not compatible with another procedure or procedure/modifier combination provided on the same day…): Procedure or modifier combination not compatible with another procedure under payer or NCCI rules.

CO-W3 FAQ

Is W3 the same as CARC 97?

Similar in meaning, but W3 was restricted to property and casualty payers, such as workers' compensation and auto carriers. CARC 97 is the general version used by health plans.

Can a bundled service be paid separately?

Sometimes, if it was truly distinct and the jurisdiction's rules allow a modifier or documentation to show that. Check the applicable fee schedule's bundling rules.

Important: read before using this information

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