Special Alert from Nan Gallagher: CMS Updates its ABN Form

Effective, August 31, 2020, CMS will expect strict compliance and implementation of its revised Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, which is required to be issued by providers (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers to Original Medicare (fee for service – FFS) beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied. The ABN is issued in order to transfer potential financial liability to the Medicare beneficiary in certain instances.  The ABN, Form CMS-R-131, and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal.  The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory on 8/31/2020.  For more information or to obtain a downloadable version of the new ABN Form, please visit the CMS website at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN.