DENIAL CODE · CO-29

CO-29: Timely Filing Expired

CO-29 means the claim was received after the payer's filing deadline. It's the denial practices most often write off, and one of the most recoverable with proof.

Official (X12/WPC): "The time limit for filing has expired."
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Why payers issue CO-29

  • The claim was sent on time but the payer has no record of it
  • It bounced between primary and secondary payers (COB) and aged out
  • A clearinghouse rejection wasn't caught and reworked in time
  • The claim genuinely missed the window

Is it recoverable? Often reversible with a clearinghouse acceptance trail or a primary EOB that resets the clock — which is exactly why so much money sits unworked here.

How to appeal a Timely Filing denial →

Common questions

What does CO-29 mean?

CO-29 means the claim was received after the payer's filing deadline. It's the denial practices most often write off, and one of the most recoverable with proof. The time limit for filing has expired.

How do I appeal or fix a CO-29 denial?

Often reversible with a clearinghouse acceptance trail or a primary EOB that resets the clock — which is exactly why so much money sits unworked here. Common causes: the claim was sent on time but the payer has no record of it; it bounced between primary and secondary payers (COB) and aged out; a clearinghouse rejection wasn't caught and reworked in time; the claim genuinely missed the window.

Is a CO-29 denial worth appealing?

Often reversible with a clearinghouse acceptance trail or a primary EOB that resets the clock — which is exactly why so much money sits unworked here. 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 Absent →CO-50 · Not Medically Necessary →CO-16 · Missing or Invalid Information →CO-45 · Charge Exceeds Fee Schedule →CO-97 · Bundled into Another Service →CO-96 · Non-Covered Charge →OA-18 · Duplicate Claim →OA-22 · Coordination of Benefits →CO-11 · Diagnosis Inconsistent with Procedure →CO-151 · Too Many Services (Frequency/MUE) →CO-B7 · Provider Not Eligible →CO-27 · Coverage Terminated →CO-204 · Not Covered Under Current Plan →CO-109 · Not Covered by This Payer →CO-119 · Benefit Maximum Reached →CO-4 · Modifier Inconsistent or Missing →CO-15 · Authorization Number Missing or Invalid →OA-23 · Prior Payer Adjudication Impact →CO-24 · Charges Covered Under Capitation →CO-26 · Expenses Incurred Prior to Coverage →CO-54 · Assistant Surgeon Not Covered →CO-55 · Experimental / Investigational →CO-58 · Inappropriate Place of Service →CO-59 · Multiple/Concurrent Procedure Reduction →CO-107 · Related/Qualifying Claim Not Identified →CO-167 · Diagnosis Not Covered →CO-170 · Denied for This Provider Type →CO-181 · Procedure Code Invalid on Date of Service →CO-182 · Procedure Modifier Invalid on Date of Service →CO-183 · Referring Provider Not Eligible to Refer →CO-185 · Rendering Provider Not Eligible →CO-198 · Precertification / Authorization Exceeded →CO-226 · Requested Provider Information Not Provided →CO-231 · Mutually Exclusive Procedures →CO-234 · Procedure Not Paid Separately →CO-236 · Procedure/Modifier Combination Not Compatible →CO-242 · Out-of-Network / Non-Network Provider →CO-252 · Documentation Required to Adjudicate →CO-253 · Sequestration Reduction →CO-256 · Not Payable Per Managed-Care Contract →CO-288 · Referral Absent →CO-B15 · Qualifying Service Not Received →CO-B16 · New Patient Qualifications Not Met →CO-A1 · Claim/Service Denied (Remark Required) →

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