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Urology Coding Alert

Quick Quiz:

Test Your Knowledge of the Now-Required ABN Form

Published on Mon Apr 13, 2009

See if you need to hone your ABN skills with this quiz.

The drop-dead date for using the updated advance beneficiary notice (ABN) was March 1. While the new form was first introduced last year, you weren't required to use it -- until now. As of March 1, you need to cease using the old forms and begin using the new.

Find out if you're set to use the new form and avoid unpaid claims and OIG involvement with these five quiz questions. Turn to page 37 for the answers.

Question 1: The new form replaces which of the following forms?

A. ABN-G (for physicians)

B. ABN-L (for laboratories)

C. Notice of exclusions from the Medicare benefits (NEMB)

D. All of the above.

Question 2: True or False: Without a valid ABN, you can collect for statutorily excluded services, and you can hold the patient responsible for charges Medicare denies as not medically necessary.

A. True

B. False.

Question 3: True or False: You can use the new ABN form for procedures or items that are statutorily excluded from Medicare benefits. For those services, you used to turn to the NEMB form, but you now use the ABN.

A. True

B. False.

Question 4: Which modifier will you attach to your claim if you didn't get the patient to sign an ABN, you expect Medicare to deny the claim, and you will not balance bill the patient for the unpaid claim?

A. GA

B. GY

C. GZ

D. None of the above.

Question 5: Your urologist saw a 54-year-old male patient on February 2, 2009 and ordered a screening PSA test that same day. The patient last had a screening PSA test on March 15, 2008. Should you have had the patient sign an ABN form before his Feb. 2 PSA test?

A. Yes

B. No

How did you fare? Check your answers by turning to the next page.

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