CO-226: Requested Provider Information Not Provided
CO-226 means the payer asked the provider for information — records, an itemized bill, a questionnaire — and didn't get it, or got an incomplete response, so it denied the claim.
Why payers issue CO-226
- A records or documentation request wasn't received or was missed
- The response was sent but incomplete or to the wrong place
- The request went to an old address or fax and never surfaced
- The deadline to respond passed before anyone saw it
Is it recoverable? Recoverable when you still hold the records and the appeal window is open — the danger is the clock, not the merits. Respond with the complete documentation.
Common questions
What does CO-226 mean?
CO-226 means the payer asked the provider for information — records, an itemized bill, a questionnaire — and didn't get it, or got an incomplete response, so it denied the claim. Information requested from the Billing/Rendering Provider was not provided or was insufficient/incomplete.
How do I appeal or fix a CO-226 denial?
Recoverable when you still hold the records and the appeal window is open — the danger is the clock, not the merits. Respond with the complete documentation. Common causes: a records or documentation request wasn't received or was missed; the response was sent but incomplete or to the wrong place; the request went to an old address or fax and never surfaced; the deadline to respond passed before anyone saw it.
Is a CO-226 denial worth appealing?
Recoverable when you still hold the records and the appeal window is open — the danger is the clock, not the merits. Respond with the complete documentation. You only pay on what's actually recovered, so there's no cost to working the ones that are winnable.
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