CO 287 denial code

Claim adjustment reason code 287. Often reported as CO 287.

Referral limit exceeded

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 287 means

The patient's referral covered a set number of visits or services, and this claim went beyond that limit.

The referral exists but it has been used up. Plans that require referrals often approve a specific number of visits or a time window, and services past that point need a new or extended referral.

Whether the patient can be billed depends on the group code and your contract, so check those before moving any balance.

Group codes seen with 287

On a remittance, 287 comes after a group code. These are the ones it is most often reported with:

• CO 287 (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

• More visits were done than the referral allowed.
• The referral expired before the date of service.
• The primary care provider did not extend the referral for ongoing care.

What to do next

1. Check the referral's visit count and expiration date against the dates billed.
2. Ask the primary care office for a new or extended referral and whether the payer accepts it retroactively.
3. Resubmit or appeal with the updated referral if the payer allows it.

Related codes

• 288 (reason code) No referral on file
• 197 (reason code) No prior authorization on file