835 Denial Combination

CO-97+N184

CO

Contractual Obligation · Service-Line Level Adjustment

What This Combination Means

Rebundled by automated code-editing software (ClaimCheck, NCCI, or payer-proprietary edits). N184 confirms the remark: the service has been rebundled per established coding guidelines. The payment is included in another code. This denial requires reviewing whether an unbundling modifier is appropriate.

42%

Appeal Success

14-21 days

Avg. Resolution

Medium

Difficulty

Yes

Appealable

Step-by-Step Resolution

Steps tailored specifically to this CO-97+N184 combination — not generic advice.

  1. 1

    Identify the specific code-pair that triggered the rebundling edit using the NCCI PTP edit table or your clearinghouse's edit report.

  2. 2

    Determine the column 1 (comprehensive) code and column 2 (component) code in the edit pair.

  3. 3

    Evaluate whether Modifier 59 or XE/XS/XP/XU is clinically appropriate and supported by documentation.

  4. 4

    If a modifier is appropriate, resubmit the component code with the modifier — include clinical notes confirming separate and distinct service.

  5. 5

    If no modifier is appropriate, write off the rebundled service; billing the patient is not permitted for NCCI-bundled services.

Specialty Context

How CO-97+N184 typically presents across different practice types.

Dental

Payer-specific ClaimCheck edits may combine prophylaxis and fluoride treatment codes. Review payer's ClaimCheck edit pairs for dental codes.

Medical

ClaimCheck and Optum's NCCI editor flag thousands of CPT pairs. Run the claim through the same editing software your payer uses before resubmission.

Behavioral Health

NCCI editing is strict for psychiatric add-on codes. Verify that separate documentation supports each billed procedure.

Individual Code References

View the standalone definition for each code in this combination.

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