CO-102: Claim Submission Electronic Requirement Not Met

CO (Contractual Obligation)

What is CO-102?

CO-102 is a Contractual Obligation code indicating the claim did not meet electronic submission requirements. The payer requires electronic filing and the claim was submitted on paper, or the electronic format was incorrect.

Why Does CO-102 Occur?

  1. Paper claim submitted when electronic filing is required.
  2. Electronic claim submitted in the wrong format or transaction standard.
  3. Clearinghouse rejected the claim for formatting errors and it was not resubmitted electronically.

How to Fix CO-102 Denials

  1. Resubmit the claim electronically through your clearinghouse or the payer's portal.
  2. If the claim was rejected for formatting errors, fix the error and retransmit.
  3. Verify your clearinghouse connection and enrollment with the payer.

CO-102 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-102, check these related codes: CO-16 (claim differs), CO-45 (fee schedule), CO-29 (timely filing).

Common Questions About CO-102

What does CO-102 mean?

CO-102 indicates claim submission electronic requirement not met. Check the RARC code on the EOB for the specific reason and follow the resolution steps above.

Can I appeal a CO-102 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-102 denials before submission with electronic submission compliance. See how pre-submit claim scoring works.

← Back to CARC Code Reference Hub
This reference is for informational purposes. Always verify against current payer policies and CMS guidelines. Last updated: 2026-03-09.