Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: Can we continue to use our 2008 version ABN forms after the first of the year since the wording on the 2011 form is the same?

South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: No, you should not continue to use old forms. Beginning Jan.1, 2012 you must use the new 2011 version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) (form CMS-R-131).

Here's why: "ABNs issued after Sun. Jan. 1 that are prepared using the 2008 version of the notice will be considered invalid by Medicare contractors," CMS warns.

CMS originally set the implementation date for the new ABN form for Sept. 1, but the agency extended the deadline to Jan. 1, 2012 "to permit providers and suppliers with pre-printed stockpiles of ABNs time to exhaust their supplies," the agency says in a message to providers.

No change: You are correct that the forms are virtually unchanged. "The 2008 and 2011 ABN notices are identical except that the release date of '3/11' is printed in the lower left hand corner of the new version," CMS points out.

Repeated services are different: What if you have a long-term notification in effect for situations such as repeat prothrombin time test for Coumadin management (85610, Prothrombin time)?

"2008 versions of the ABN that were issued prior to Sun. Jan 1 as long-term notification for repetitive services delivered for up to one year will remain effective for the length of time specified on the notice," CMS says.

A copy of the 2011 version of the ABN (form CMS-R-131) is online at www.cms.gov/BNI/, under the "FFS Revised ABN" link.