Home › Denial codes › CARC 252

Denial Code CARC 252: An attachment / other documentation is required to adjudicate the claim

CARC 252 means: an attachment / other documentation is required to adjudicate the claim. Here's what it means in plain English, why it happens, and how it's worked toward payment.

Why you get a CARC 252 denial

• The payer needs records (notes, op report, invoice) to process the claim.
• Required documentation wasn't sent with the original claim.
• The wrong or incomplete documentation was submitted.

How to fix or appeal CARC 252

1. Identify exactly which documentation the payer requires.
2. Submit the complete records through the payer's preferred channel.
3. Track to ensure the claim is reprocessed after the documentation is received.

Highly recoverable — it's a documentation request, not a coverage denial. Send what's asked and it processes.

CARC 252 — FAQ

Is CARC 252 a denial?

Not really a coverage denial — the payer needs supporting documentation to adjudicate. Submit the requested records and the claim typically processes.

What documentation does CARC 252 need?

It varies — often clinical notes, an operative report, or an invoice. The remark detail or a quick payer call clarifies exactly what's required.