The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently issued a new, mandatory "Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage" (ABN). This new ABN form must be used by ambulance providers and suppliers to notify Medicare beneficiaries - prior to rendering certain types of ambulance services - that the services are likely to be denied by Medicare. If an ABN is not given to the patient in advance of the transport, the ambulance service may not bill the beneficiary in certain situations.
The new ABN form is substantially revised from the prior Medicare ABN form. The new ABN form (CMS-R-131, 03/08) is now available for use during the 6-month "phase in" period. Use of the new ABN form is mandatory by September 1, 2008.
Among other significant changes, the new ABN form also serves as a "Notice of Exclusion from Medicare Benefits" (NEMB) form, eliminating the need for ambulance services to utilize two separate forms depending upon the specific denial situation.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the new ABN form, along with Medicare's instructions and "Frequently Asked Questions."
