Do I Need an ABN for Every Visit if Medicare May Not Cover It?
It is not necessary to fill out a separate Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) each time a patient returns for the same treatment (such as weekly foot care or chiropractic manipulations). You can present the patient with one ABN identifying each service in series of treatments. It must contain the individual date(s), a narrative description of the procedure, and the patient's signature. The ABN can remain effective for up to one year. If each service is not listed individually on the ABN or the service is not part of a series, then a separate form is required.
Services that Medicare excludes as covered benefits do not require an ABN; however, providers may choose to use the ABN form. The optional notice allows the beneficiary to remain informed on a service that Medicare never covers.
Reminder: Non-covered services may be submitted with GY modifier.
For more information or a copy of the forms, please see the CMS Beneficiary Notices Initiative website.