Busy federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) routinely encounter claim denials. Denial codes in medical billing identify why a payer rejected reimbursement, giving organizations the information they need to correct, resubmit, or appeal claims. In 2026, denials are increasingly influenced by automation, stricter validation rules, telehealth billing, and policy updates, making it more important than ever to understand the most common denial codes and how to respond.
Denials are rarely random. Most follow predictable patterns tied to eligibility errors, missing or inaccurate data, authorization gaps, coding errors, or payer-specific rules. Recognizing these patterns allows FQHCs to protect revenue and improve claim outcomes.

