Effective March 1, 2009, providers must begin using the revised “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage” (ABN) (CMS-R-131). The revised ABN satisfies both mandatory and voluntary notice functions and replaces the ABN-G (CMS-R0131-G), ABN-L (CMS-R-131-L), and Notice of Exclusion from Medicare Benefits (NEMB). Key features of the new form include a mandatory field for cost estimates of the items/services at issue and a new beneficiary option, under which an individual may choose to receive an item/service, and pay for it out-of-pocket, rather than have a claim submitted to Medicare.

Medicare Makes Expanded Benefits Brochure Available. The Expanded Benefits Brochure is now available in downloadable format. This tri-fold provides health care professionals with an overview of Medicare’s coverage of three preventive services: the initial preventive physical examination (IPPE), also known as the “Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam”, ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms, and cardiovascular screening blood testsThe summary presented is intended for Medicare fee-for-service physicians, providers, suppliers, and other health care professionals who furnish or provide referrals for and/or file claims for the Medicare-covered preventive benefits discussed. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed educational resources as part of a broad outreach campaign to promote awareness and increase utilization of covered preventive services. From www.medical-coding.net, a division of Provistas (www.provistas.com), home of SpeedECoder software (www.speedecoder.com).