OA-210: Pre-Certification/Authorization Not Received Timely

What Does OA-210 Mean?

With OA (Other Adjustments), the authorization timing issue was flagged during coordination of benefits. Different payers may have different deadlines. Submit timely proof to the payer that flagged the issue.

CARC 210 is specifically about authorization timing — the authorization request was either submitted too late before the service or the post-service notification was not filed within the required window. Unlike CARC 197 (authorization absent entirely), CARC 210 acknowledges that authorization may have been sought but was not received by the payer within their required deadline.

Different payers have different authorization submission deadlines, and some have very short windows for retroactive or post-service notifications. For emergency services, most payers allow a grace period for post-service notification, but this period is often just 24-72 hours. Missing these deadlines can result in full denial of the claim.

Common Causes

How to Resolve

1. Check each payer's deadline Verify the authorization deadline for the specific payer that flagged the issue.
2. Appeal with submission proof If the authorization was timely, submit proof to the applicable payer.

How to Prevent OA-210

• Track authorization deadlines for all payers in the COB chain
• Submit authorizations to all applicable payers within their respective timelines

Also Filed As

The same CARC 210 may appear with different Group Codes:

Related Denial Codes