Denial Code CO-29: Description, Meaning and How to Fix It
The claim was submitted after the payer's filing deadline.
Official description
The time limit for filing has expired.
Common cause
The claim sat too long before submission, or a denial was not reworked inside the window.
How to fix it
If you have proof of timely submission (clearinghouse reports), appeal with it. Otherwise this is usually a write-off. Prevent it with fast, tracked submission and follow-up.
Related denial codes
- CO-45: The amount billed is higher than the payer's contracted (allowed) rate. The difference is a contractual write-off, not a patient balance.
- CO-16: The claim is missing required information or has an error. It is almost always paired with a RARC that names the specific missing field.
- CO-97: This service is bundled into another service that was already paid, so it is not paid separately.
- CO-18: The payer received this exact claim/service already.
- CO-22: Another insurer should be billed first under coordination of benefits.
- CO-50: The payer decided the service was not medically necessary as billed.