CO 117 denial code

Claim adjustment reason code 117. Often reported as CO 117 or PR 117.

Transport only to the nearest facility

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 117 means

The payer paid transport only to the closest suitable facility and reduced the claim for the extra distance.

Ambulance and other transport is often covered only to the nearest place that can treat the patient. The trip went farther than the payer thinks was needed, so it limited payment to the shorter distance.

If the closer facility could not provide the care, or was full, documentation of that is usually what overturns the reduction.

Group codes seen with 117

On a remittance, 117 comes after a group code. These are the ones it is most often reported with:

• CO 117 (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.
• PR 117 (Patient Responsibility): The amount is assigned to the patient. Deductibles, coinsurance and copays are the everyday examples. Whether you can collect it still depends on your contract and the patient's plan.

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 patient was taken past a closer facility that could provide the needed care.
• The patient or family chose a more distant facility.
• The trip record did not explain why a farther facility was necessary.

What to do next

1. Read the trip report for reasons the nearer facility was not suitable or available.
2. Appeal with documentation if the destination was the closest appropriate facility.
3. Check the group code to see whether the extra mileage is assigned to the patient.

Related codes

• 50 (reason code) Not medically necessary per the payer
• 96 (reason code) Service not covered by the plan