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Error code

O3 — Prenatal care already billed by another doctor

Prenatal care claimed elsewhere

Another doctor already claimed prenatal care for this pregnancy, so this service wasn't paid as billed.

What to do: Confirm whether care was transferred to you; if so, bill an assessment and then prenatal visits.

Code
O3
Description
Prenatal care already billed by another doctor

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

O3 means another doctor already claimed prenatal care for this pregnancy. Check whether care was transferred.

What it means

O3 means previous prenatal care was already claimed by another doctor for this pregnancy.

Common causes

  • The patient changed physicians during the pregnancy
  • Two physicians billed the initial prenatal visit

How to fix it

  1. Confirm whether another physician provided prenatal care.
  2. If an uncomplicated patient was transferred to you, bill the appropriate assessment and then prenatal visits. This does not apply when physicians are substituting for each other (Schedule K2).
  3. If you believe the decision is wrong, send a Remittance Advice Inquiry (RAI) through eSubmit, or on form 0918-84, within 7 months of the RA date, with supporting details.

Don't resubmit if

  • The line is already on your RA. Question it with an RAI, not a new claim.

How APEX handles it

APEX reads your error reports and remittance advice from MCEDT and lists claims rejected with this code in its Correction Centre for you to correct and resubmit. See how APEX works · Pricing

Related codes: O2, O7, O1

Sources