CO 112 denial code

Claim adjustment reason code 112. Often reported as CO 112.

Not furnished directly or not documented

Unofficial reference. This is our own plain-English explanation, not the official code text. Payer rules differ. Verify with the payer and the official X12 code list. AlphaPrefix is not affiliated with X12, CMS or any payer. Data last updated Nov 11, 2026.

What 112 means

The payer did not pay because the service was not given directly to the patient or the record does not show it was.

The payer is questioning whether the patient actually received this service from the billing provider. Either the records do not support it, or the service was performed in a way the payer does not consider direct care, such as work done without patient contact that the policy excludes.

Documentation is usually the answer. Send records that show the service, who performed it and when.

Group codes seen with 112

On a remittance, 112 comes after a group code. These are the ones it is most often reported with:

• CO 112 (Contractual Obligation): The provider's side of the ledger. The reduction comes from the payer contract or a rule the provider has to follow, and the patient normally cannot be billed for it.

The payer chooses the group code for each adjustment, so the same reason code can appear with another group code on your remittance. Read the two together. More about group codes.

Common causes

• The medical record does not document the service that was billed.
• The service was performed by someone the payer does not recognize as the rendering provider.
• The service did not involve the patient in the way the code requires.

What to do next

1. Pull the medical record and confirm the service, date and performing provider are documented.
2. Appeal with the supporting documentation if the service was provided as billed.
3. Correct the code or rendering provider and resubmit if the claim was billed wrong.

Related codes

• 16 (reason code) Missing information or billing error
• 50 (reason code) Not medically necessary per the payer
• 252 (reason code) Attachment or documentation required