Are you comfortable with the updated ABN? CMS introduced a new ABN (advance beneficiary notice) form in June 2017 that you should be getting familiar with by now. But is your staff comfortable knowing when and how to use ABNs in the first place? Read on for the lowdown on the new form as well as a refresher on when it can come into play for urology practices. The basics: You should file an ABN in advance of providing any services to a patient that Medicare might not cover. The process has been in place for years, but CMS announced an update to the ABN form CMS-131-R in March 2017, with implementation planned for June. The new form: Key Point 1: Options Are Available "The form has not really changed except to add closing language that informs patients CMS doesn't discriminate in its programs and activities and offers a website and phone number for beneficiaries to request the ABN in an alternate format, such as in large print type or a different language if desired," says Mike Granovsky, MD, FACEP, CPC, president of LogixHealth, a national coding and billing company in Bedford, Mass. Because the ABN form is subject to approval by the Executive Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the notice is subject to public comment and re-approval every three years. During the 2016 PRA submission, the alternative format request language was added and the form reflects a new expiration date in the lower left corner of 03/2020 (Form Approved OMB No. 0938-0566). For information on the new ABN, go to: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN.html. Key Point 2: Old Rules Still Apply When you're filling out the new ABNs, be sure to keep these tried and true ABN guidelines in mind: Johnson agrees, saying ABNs are good practice "not just for Medicare, but actually, other payers are requesting similar [ABN-type documents]. It's a good habit for a practice to work into their routine, even if it seems difficult to obtain." Key Point 3: Mind Your Modifiers Providing the patient with an appropriately issued ABN isn't the end of your ABN work. Remember that Medicare also asks you to append the proper G modifier when submitting the claim. Reasoning: Although the G modifiers are not required to garner payment for the services, experts agree it's a good idea to use the modifiers for compliance reasons. Additionally, the G modifiers also make things easier on the payers and the patients, as they indicate whether you will be able to request payment from the patient. Here is a list of the G modifiers you might use on your ABN claims.