CO-103: Claim Routing Error
CO (Contractual Obligation)What is CO-103?
CO-103 is a Contractual Obligation code indicating the claim was submitted to the wrong payer or processing center. The claim needs to be redirected to the correct entity for adjudication.
Why Does CO-103 Occur?
- Claim sent to the wrong BCBS plan (regional vs. national).
- Claim submitted to a payer that is not the patient's insurer.
- Payer ID on the claim does not match the correct processing center for the patient's plan.
How to Fix CO-103 Denials
- Verify the correct payer ID using the patient's insurance card and a 270 eligibility check.
- Resubmit the claim with the correct payer ID through your clearinghouse.
- For BCBS claims, verify whether the claim should go to the local plan or the BlueCard national program.
CO-103 by Payer
| Payer | Common RARC | Appeal Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | Varies | 60 days from remittance | Reconsideration required before formal appeal. |
| Anthem | Varies | 365 days from denial notice | Check state-specific provider manual for variations. |
| Aetna | Varies | 180 days from denial | Strict in-network filing enforcement. |
| Cigna | Varies | 180 days from denial | Cigna COB team: 1-800-244-6224. |
| Medicare | Varies | 120 days (redetermination at MAC) | Five levels of appeal starting with MAC redetermination. |
Related CARC Codes
If you are seeing CO-103, check these related codes: CO-16 (claim differs), CO-45 (fee schedule), CO-29 (timely filing).
Common Questions About CO-103
What does CO-103 mean?
CO-103 indicates claim routing error. Check the RARC code on the EOB for the specific reason and follow the resolution steps above.
Can I appeal a CO-103 denial?
Yes. Commercial payers allow 60-365 days to appeal depending on the payer. Gather supporting documentation before filing. Medicare allows 120 days for a redetermination request.
Altair catches CO-103 denials before submission with payer ID verification. See how pre-submit claim scoring works.