DENIAL CODE · CO-183

CO-183: Referring Provider Not Eligible to Refer

CO-183 means the payer says the provider named as referring isn't eligible to make that referral — often a missing or wrong referring NPI, or a referrer not enrolled with the payer.

Official (X12/WPC): "The referring provider is not eligible to refer the service billed."

Why payers issue CO-183

  • The referring provider's NPI was missing, wrong, or mistyped
  • The referring provider isn't enrolled/eligible with this payer
  • An ordering vs referring provider distinction was mishandled
  • The referrer's enrollment lapsed on the date of service

Is it recoverable? Recoverable by supplying a valid, eligible referring provider NPI and confirming the referrer's enrollment for the date of service.

How to appeal a Provider Not Eligible / Credentialing denial →

Common questions

What does CO-183 mean?

CO-183 means the payer says the provider named as referring isn't eligible to make that referral — often a missing or wrong referring NPI, or a referrer not enrolled with the payer. The referring provider is not eligible to refer the service billed.

How do I appeal or fix a CO-183 denial?

Recoverable by supplying a valid, eligible referring provider NPI and confirming the referrer's enrollment for the date of service. Common causes: the referring provider's NPI was missing, wrong, or mistyped; the referring provider isn't enrolled/eligible with this payer; an ordering vs referring provider distinction was mishandled; the referrer's enrollment lapsed on the date of service.

Is a CO-183 denial worth appealing?

Recoverable by supplying a valid, eligible referring provider NPI and confirming the referrer's enrollment for the date of service. You only pay on what's actually recovered, so there's no cost to working the ones that are winnable.

Other denial codes
CO-197 · Precertification / Authorization AbsentCO-50 · Not Medically NecessaryCO-16 · Missing or Invalid InformationCO-45 · Charge Exceeds Fee ScheduleCO-97 · Bundled into Another ServiceCO-29 · Timely Filing ExpiredCO-96 · Non-Covered ChargeOA-18 · Duplicate ClaimOA-22 · Coordination of BenefitsCO-11 · Diagnosis Inconsistent with ProcedureCO-151 · Too Many Services (Frequency/MUE)CO-B7 · Provider Not EligibleCO-27 · Coverage TerminatedCO-204 · Not Covered Under Current PlanCO-109 · Not Covered by This PayerCO-119 · Benefit Maximum ReachedCO-4 · Modifier Inconsistent or MissingCO-15 · Authorization Number Missing or InvalidOA-23 · Prior Payer Adjudication ImpactCO-24 · Charges Covered Under CapitationCO-26 · Expenses Incurred Prior to CoverageCO-54 · Assistant Surgeon Not CoveredCO-55 · Experimental / InvestigationalCO-58 · Inappropriate Place of ServiceCO-59 · Multiple/Concurrent Procedure ReductionCO-107 · Related/Qualifying Claim Not IdentifiedCO-167 · Diagnosis Not CoveredCO-170 · Denied for This Provider TypeCO-181 · Procedure Code Invalid on Date of ServiceCO-182 · Procedure Modifier Invalid on Date of ServiceCO-185 · Rendering Provider Not EligibleCO-198 · Precertification / Authorization ExceededCO-226 · Requested Provider Information Not ProvidedCO-231 · Mutually Exclusive ProceduresCO-234 · Procedure Not Paid SeparatelyCO-236 · Procedure/Modifier Combination Not CompatibleCO-242 · Out-of-Network / Non-Network ProviderCO-252 · Documentation Required to AdjudicateCO-253 · Sequestration ReductionCO-256 · Not Payable Per Managed-Care ContractCO-288 · Referral AbsentCO-B15 · Qualifying Service Not ReceivedCO-B16 · New Patient Qualifications Not MetCO-A1 · Claim/Service Denied (Remark Required)

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