OA-151: Information Does Not Support Frequency of Services

What Does OA-151 Mean?

When paired with Group Code OA, CARC 151 (Information Does Not Support Frequency of Services) is processed as an adjustment outside the standard CO/PR classifications. This typically occurs in secondary payer or coordination of benefits scenarios. Review the remittance details and the COB arrangement to determine financial responsibility and appropriate next steps.

CARC 151 indicates information does not support frequency of services. The payer determined that the service or a portion of it does not meet coverage criteria under the patient's current plan benefits or the applicable coverage rules.

Common scenarios that trigger this adjustment include: the number of services billed within a given time period exceeds the payer's allowed frequency for that procedure, such as billing more physical therapy visits than the plan allows per year; The clinical documentation does not demonstrate ongoing medical necessity for the number of services provided, and the payer determines fewer visits were warranted; The same service was billed multiple times within a period that the payer considers too short for repeat services. The group code paired with CARC 151 determines who bears the financial responsibility — CO places it on the provider as a contractual obligation, PR shifts it to the patient, OA indicates a coordination of benefits or other payer adjustment.

How to Resolve

1. Review the coordination of benefits Examine the OA-151 adjustment to understand how it fits within the primary/secondary payer relationship or other multi-payer context.
2. Verify primary payer adjudication Review the primary payer's EOB to understand the basis for the secondary payer's OA adjustment.
3. Determine the responsible party Based on the COB review, identify whether the adjustment should be absorbed, billed to another payer, or if additional documentation is needed.
4. Appeal or resubmit if needed If the OA adjustment appears incorrect based on the COB arrangement, submit an appeal or corrected claim with the appropriate documentation.
5. Follow up Monitor the claim status and take additional action as needed based on the COB determination.

How to Prevent OA-151

• Maintain accurate coordination of benefits information
• Verify secondary payer requirements before claim submission

Also Filed As

The same CARC 151 may appear with different Group Codes:

Related Denial Codes