The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to implement a new Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) form.  The ABN is a form that must be used by ambulance services and other health care providers to notify a Medicare beneficiary that certain services are likely to be denied as "not reasonable and necessary" under Medicare guidelines.  Although the instances in which an ABN must be used by ambulance providers are somewhat limited, it is important to provide an ABN when required to a Medicare beneficiary prior to rendering services; otherwise, you will not be able to bill the beneficiary for the non-covered services.

CMS is accepting comments for a limited, 30-day period on the proposed new ABN form.  To read the Federal Register notice regarding this additional 30-day comment period, CLICK HERE.

To view the proposed, revised ABN Form, CLICK HERE.

To review Medicare's summary of the proposed changes to the new ABN form, CLICK HERE.

Stay tuned to www.pwwemslaw.com for more information, including an announcement of when the new ABN form becomes final.  In the meantime, continue to use the existing ABN form (form CMS-R-131-G - June 2002).