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News Center
May 29, 2007
Additional Comment Period for ABN Revisions
A notice was published in the
Federal
Register on May 25, 2007 announcing the start of a second public
comment period for the revised version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) form number CMS-R-131. The May 25 notice requests public
comments on a revised ABN package that reflects changes made after the first
round of public comments. Formerly, CMS maintained two versions of the ABN, a general form and
a laboratory-specific form. CMS is
now proposing to combine these two versions of the ABN into a single notice
meeting both needs. Other proposed changes are described in the web site
posting.
As required by Section 1879 of the Social Security Act, the ABN is used to inform beneficiaries of potential financial liability, except for certain institutional benefits such as home health and in-patient hospital. Physicians, practitioners, providers and suppliers already required to use ABNs should continue using the currently approved ABNs until the revised notice is approved.
To view the announcement and requirements for submitting comments in the Federal Register, click here. [Source: CMS listserve, May 25, 2007]
Briggs offers the ABN and other required patient notices. Click here for more information.