29Denial Code (CARC)Active
CO 29 Denial Code - Filing Time Limit Expired
Code 29 indicates that the claim was denied because it was submitted after the payer's filing deadline. This time limit is set by the payer and varies by contract or policy.
Who Pays: Group Code Liability
Typically, code 29 uses the CO group code, meaning the provider must write off the amount and cannot bill the patient. However, if a specific payer policy states otherwise, check their guidelines.
Why Claims Get Code 29
- Claim submitted past payer's filing deadline.
- Misunderstanding of payer's filing deadline policy.
- Delayed claim submission due to missing information.
- Claim was sent to the wrong payer initially, causing a delay.
- Failure to resubmit corrected claims within the allowed timeframe.
How to Fix & Resubmit
- Verify the payer's filing deadline policy for the specific claim type.
- Check the claim submission date against the deadline.
- If the claim was submitted late, review internal processes for delays.
- If the payer's records are incorrect, gather documentation proving timely submission.
- Contact the payer to discuss any potential exceptions or appeals for late filing.
Corrected Claim or Appeal?
For code 29, a corrected claim is typically not an option since the filing deadline has passed. An appeal may be warranted if you have proof of timely filing or if payer errors caused the delay.
Preventing Future 29 Denials
- Set reminders for payer-specific filing deadlines to ensure timely submission.
- Implement a tracking system to monitor claim submission dates.
- Educate staff on payer-specific filing rules and timelines.
- Ensure claims are clean and complete before initial submission to avoid delays.