DENIAL CODE · CO-226

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.

Official (X12/WPC): "Information requested from the Billing/Rendering Provider was not provided or was insufficient/incomplete."

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.

How to appeal a Missing or Invalid Information denial →

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.

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-183 · Referring Provider Not Eligible to ReferCO-185 · Rendering Provider Not EligibleCO-198 · Precertification / Authorization ExceededCO-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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