New form doesn't include major changes, but you are required to switch over to it. It may seem like just yesterday that you switched over to the latest version of the ABN, which is a combined ABN/ NEMB form -- but it's actually time again to upgrade to a newer version of the advance beneficiary notice. The latest version of the ABN form CMS-R-193, with the release date of 3-20-11, is now available at
www.cms.gov/BNI by clicking the "revised ABN" link, said CMS's Donna Williamson during a June 28 CMS Open Door Forum. Although the form doesn't include any substantial changes, mandatory use of the new version begins on Nov. 1, 2011. A caller to the forum asked why the form was updated in the absence of substantial changes, because many practices find it cumbersome and expensive to switch over to new forms. CMS's Stewart Streimer replied that the current [...]