Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN)
Out With The Old And In With A New ABN For 2012
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a new Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) which takes effect on January 1, 2012. InCyte Pathology has attached an updated version in both English and Spanish for your convenience.
If you compare the current version with the new version, you will find very little has changed. The main change is the date at the bottom of the form is now 03/11. Anything dated earlier will no longer be acceptable as of January 1, 2012. The pricing and effective dates have also been updated.
A copy of the ABN instructions provided by CMS is also available. These instructions may be useful when updating your own ABNs. If you have any questions about these changes, please let your account representative know or call the InCyte Pathology Coding Line at (509) 892-2784.
The instructions specify that the ABN must be verbally reviewed with the beneficiary or his/her representative and any questions raised during that review must be answered before it is signed. The ABN must be delivered far enough in advance that the beneficiary or representative has time to consider the options and make an informed choice. Once all blanks are completed and the form is signed, a copy is given to the beneficiary or representative. In all cases, the notifier must retain the original notice on file and a copy forwarded to InCyte Pathology.
Remember these FIVE fields to fill in for the ABN to be complete:
1) Patient Name - VERY IMPORTANT
2) Identification Number
3) Choose Option 1, 2, or 3
4) Patient Signature
5) Date