Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN) Form Change

Effective March 3, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented use of the revised ABN form. The new form, CMS R-131, combines the general Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN-G) and Laboratory Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN-L) into a single form.

Beginning March 3, 2008, but prior to March 1, 2009, providers can use either the current ABN-G and ABN-L or the revised ABN as valid notification. However, beginning on March 1, 2009, Medicare contractors will accept only a properly executed ABN (CMS R-131) as valid notification.

All providers and suppliers must begin using the revised ABN (CMS-R-131) on March 1, 2009.

Information regarding the use of the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is available on the CMS Website.

Additional information regarding use of the ABN form is available in the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters article MM 6136, on the CMS Website.

Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 17-Feb-2010 14:07:59 CST