CARC 302 Active

OA-302: Precertification/Authorization Time Limit Expired

TL;DR

COB processing contributed to the authorization expiration. Coordinate authorization timelines across all payers.

Action
Verify & Resubmit
Who Pays
Depends
Appeal
Yes
Patient Impact
Indirect
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional billing advice. Always verify information against your payer contracts and current coding guidelines. Consult a certified billing specialist for specific claim issues.

What Does OA-302 Mean?

The OA group code indicates this adjustment arose during coordination of benefits processing. The authorization may have expired because COB processing delayed the claim past the authorization window, or the secondary payer has different authorization timeframes.

CARC 302 indicates that the precertification, notification, authorization, or pre-treatment approval associated with the claim has passed its valid time window. Payers require that authorized services be rendered within a specific period, and if the authorization expires before the service date or before claim submission, the payer denies the claim.

This situation typically arises when scheduling delays push a procedure past the authorization window, when a provider fails to request an extension or renewal, or when claim submission is delayed after the authorization period closes. In some cases, data entry errors cause the dates of service to fall outside the authorized range even when the service was rendered on time.

Common Causes

Cause Frequency
Authorization expired during COB processing Coordination of benefits processing delayed claim adjudication past the authorization valid period Common
Secondary payer authorization timeframe mismatch The secondary payer's authorization requirement has a different validity period than the primary payer Common

How to Resolve

  1. Review COB details to determine which payer's authorization expired
  2. Contact the applicable payer to request retroactive authorization or extension
  3. Resubmit with updated authorization information from both primary and secondary payers
Appeal Guide

Appeal with authorization documentation from both primary and secondary payers showing valid coverage at the time of service.

How to Prevent OA-302

Also Filed As

The same CARC 302 may appear with different Group Codes:

CO-302 PR-302

Related Denial Codes

OA-39 — Services Denied at Authorization/Pre-certification OA-61 — Failure to Obtain Second Surgical Opinion OA-197 — Precertification/Authorization/Notification Absent OA-198 — Precertification/Authorization Limits Exceeded OA-210 — Pre-Certification/Authorization Not Received Timely

Sources

  1. https://x12.org/codes/claim-adjustment-reason-codes
  2. https://www.mdclarity.com/denial-code/302
  3. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/manuals
  4. Codes maintained by X12. Visit x12.org for official definitions.