CARC Code
88
Adjustment amount represents collection against receivable created in prior overpayment.
How to resolve this denial
Accept — payer is recouping a prior overpayment per offset agreement
- 1
Review the remittance advice to confirm the adjustment amount is accurate
- 2
Verify the contractual write-off against your fee schedule
- 3
Post the adjustment to the patient account
- 4
Do not balance bill the patient for this contractual reduction
- 5
Document the adjustment in your billing system
▶✓ Pre-action checklist — verify before contacting the payer
Review the full remittance advice (ERA/EOB) for additional RARC codes that explain the denial.
Verify the claim was submitted with correct patient eligibility and benefit information.
Check if this denial applies to a specific line item or the entire claim.
▶More about CO-88 — stats, related codes, appeal template
99%
Recovery Rate
1-3 days
Avg. Resolution
Easy
Difficulty
Rare
Frequency
Payer-Specific Notes
How major payers handle CARC 88 by specialty.
UnitedHealthcare
Review UHC's online claim status tool for additional detail on this adjustment.
Appeal Letter Template
Generic appeal template for CARC 88 denials.
We are submitting a formal appeal for claim [CLAIM_NUMBER] for patient [PATIENT_NAME], date of service [DOS]. This claim was denied/adjusted with CARC 88 indicating: "Adjustment represents collection against receivable created in prior overpayment." We have reviewed the claim and are providing the attached documentation to support reconsideration. [SUPPORTING_DOCUMENTATION]. Please reconsider payment per the terms of our contract.
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