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Top Five Claim Denials and Resolutions – Duplicate Denials

The Remittance Advice will contain the following codes when this denial is appropriate.

CO-18 Duplicate Service(s)

This denial indicates that this claim has already been processed/paid for:      

  • The same service
  • The same patient
  • The same date of service
  • And the same provider

Resolution/Resources

Please use the CGS Interactive Voice Response Unit to verify that the claim duplication is not based on previous payment information. 

If the claim has denied for duplication, and the CPT code is UNPAID, there are a couple of options.

  1. Use the appropriate modifier to designate whether services are unilateral (specify which side of the joint) or bilateral, if appropriate.
    If services are Unilateral: Submit HCPCS Modifier RT or LT, as appropriate
    If Services are Bilateral Submit CPT Modifier 50
  2. Also, use any appropriate modifiers to indicate multiple services as separate payment. Those modifiers can be found on the CGS Modifier Finder tool.

In addition, to prevent duplicate services in the future, consider submitting one claim with all lines that are administered for a claim on the same date of service, if possible. Multiple Claims submitted for CPT services on the same date of service may be denied as duplicate services.

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