Updated Version of Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)

An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, is a written notice which a physician, provider, or supplier gives to a Medicare beneficiary before items or services are furnished when the physician, provider (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), or supplier believes that Medicare probably or certainly will not pay for some or all of the items or services.

The ABN form and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The new ABN form is effective for use on and after June 21, 2017, with an expiration date of March 2020.

If you have not already done so, please incorporate the new form in to your physician practice as soon as possible.

Note: Use of the old ABN form (version 03/11) will be considered invalid.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.