CARC 131: Claim specific negotiated discount.
Claim specific negotiated discount.
CARC 131 appears on the 835 ERA (Electronic Remittance Advice) that the payer returns after claim adjudication. It explains a reduction, denial, or payment adjustment to your billing team. For your practice, the question is workflow: identify the pattern, route the denial to the right resolution path (rebill, appeal, write-off), and recover what's recoverable without burning RVU time on dead-end fights.
What CARC 131 means
The official X12 description is: “Claim specific negotiated discount.”
In plain language: Claim specific negotiated discount.
Practice workflow for CARC X 131
Verify the EOB details. If you believe the code is misapplied, contact the carrier's member services or your provider's billing office.
CARC 131 group codes explained
On the 835 ERA, CARC 131 appears alongside a group code that signals who is financially responsible for the adjustment. OA (Other Adjustment) — Informational or coordination-related adjustment. Usually means another payer is involved or there's a non-claim-related accounting entry.
Frequently asked questions
What does CARC 131 mean?
Claim specific negotiated discount. In plain language: Claim specific negotiated discount.
Is CARC 131 appealable?
CARC 131 is usually not appealable on its own — it's typically a contractual, informational, or routine adjustment. Verify the EOB details. If you believe the code is misapplied, contact the carrier's member services or your provider's billing office.
Which group code does CARC 131 appear under?
CARC 131 most often appears under: OA (Other Adjustment) — Informational or coordination-related adjustment. Usually means another payer is involved or there's a non-claim-related accounting entry.
What should I do if I see CARC 131 on the 835?
Verify the EOB details. If you believe the code is misapplied, contact the carrier's member services or your provider's billing office.
Related resources
Sources
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