The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the renewal of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) form, also known as Form CMS-R-131. Starting from June 30, 2023, healthcare providers are required to use the renewed ABN form, which has an expiration date of January 31, 2026.

The ABN form is an important document that providers, doctors, and suppliers give to Medicare beneficiaries. It’s used when they expect Medicare to deny payment for certain services. The ABN lets beneficiaries know that they might have to cover the costs in such situations.

While the newest version of the ABN form is largely the same as past versions, the updated document contains language advising Medicare beneficiaries on their accessibility rights and provides resources for beneficiaries to learn more.

With the approval of the renewed ABN form and instructions, providers can continue to inform Medicare beneficiaries about services that may not be covered. This helps beneficiaries make informed decisions about their healthcare and understand any potential financial responsibility. This updated version simplifies communication and improves the handling of situations where coverage might not be available.

The updated form and instructions are available here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN

As always, ADVOCATE will keep you up to date on this and all issues impacting medical groups as they become available.

Kayley Jaquet

Manager, Regulatory Affairs