Billing & Revenue
Prior Authorization Playbook
An 8-step prior-auth workflow from order to approval, with an editable 11-column tracking log and a daily huddle checklist.
All guides › Billing & Revenue
Billing & Revenue
Denial Code Cheat Sheet 2026
About 50 common CARC denial codes and 27 key RARC remark codes in plain English, each with the usual cause and the fix.
Why I made thisHalf of fixing a denial is figuring out what the code actually means. I got tired of googling the same ones, so I made the sheet I wanted taped next to my monitor.
$7
Instant download · card or PayPal via Payhip · Download policy
- Length
- 11 pages + 2 editable Word templates
- Format
- US Letter PDF (full color + low-ink print-friendly) and editable Word .docx (opens in Google Docs and LibreOffice). One .zip download.
- License
- Print and copy inside your own practice (one practice). Please don't resell or share the files.
This is also included in the Front Office & Billing Toolkit, with the other 7 guides in the set.
What's inside
- About 50 common CARC denial codes and 27 key RARC remark codes, each with a plain-English meaning, usual cause and fix
- Codes grouped by the team that owns the fix: front desk, coding, coverage, authorization, enrollment, timing
- CO / PR / OA / PI group codes explained
- A 5-step fix-it flow and the top 5 root causes with prevention steps
- When to send a corrected claim, a reopening or an appeal
- Checked against the official X12 code lists (August 2026 code-status review)
Who it's for
- Billers and AR follow-up staff working remits every day
- Practice managers training someone new on denials
- Front desk leads who want to see which denials start at check-in
Files you'll download
- 01-Denial-Code-Cheat-Sheet.pdf (11 pages, color)
- 01-Denial-Code-Cheat-Sheet-PrintFriendly.pdf
- editable/Denial-Code-Checklists.docx
- editable/Denial-Log.docx
- README.txt
Pairs well with
Front Office
Insurance Verification Checklist
Verify coverage in three passes (at booking, 2 to 3 days before, at check-in) and tell Original Medicare from Medicare Advantage at a glance.
Instant downloadA .zip of PDFs and editable files, right after checkout.
Secure checkoutCard or PayPal through Payhip. I never see your card number.
Help by emailQuestions about a file? Email me.
No patient dataNothing here asks for PHI. Every example is made up.
Educational use only. Not legal, billing, coding or medical advice. Rules change and vary by MAC, state and payer, so confirm with the official sources (listed in the staff guides and Medicare kit). All examples are fictional. Not affiliated with or endorsed by CMS, HHS or any payer. Questions? Read the FAQ or email jenny@clinicrevenueguides.com.