2011 Version of Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage Must Be Used Beginning Sunday, January 1, 2012

We are providing you with information regarding the new Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN). In May 2011, CMS released an updated version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) (form CMS-R-131), which will replace the 2008 version of this form. The 2011 version contains no substantive changes from the 2008 version of the notice and was approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The 2008 and 2011 ABN notices are identical except that the release date of "3/11" is printed in the lower left hand corner of the new version. The ABN is used by all providers, practitioners, and suppliers paid under Medicare Part B, as well as hospice providers and religious non-medical healthcare institutions (RNHCIs) paid exclusively under Part A.

When the 2011 ABN was posted to the CMS website on Monday, May 16, 2011, CMS announced a mandatory use date of Thursday, September 1, 2011, and permitted providers and suppliers to begin using the new form immediately. Subsequently, we received requests from the industry to extend this deadline in order to permit providers and suppliers with pre-printed stockpiles of ABNs time to exhaust their supplies.

Providers and suppliers are allowed to use either the 2008 or 2011 version of the ABN through the end of this year.

Beginning Sunday, January 1, 2012, providers and suppliers must begin using the 2011 version. ABNs issued after Sunday, January 1, that are prepared using the 2008 version of the notice will be considered invalid by Medicare contractors. 2008 versions of the ABN that were issued prior to Sunday, January 1, as long-term notification for repetitive services delivered for up to one year will remain effective for the length of time specified on the notice.

Click here for information and a copy of the 2011 version of the ABN (form CMS-R-131).