Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)

What is a Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice?

An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), a waiver of liability, is a notice that healthcare providers and suppliers are required to give Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B (Original Medicare) when they believe that Medicare will not cover the services or items.

If a provider does not provide an ABN, and there is no explanation as to why the procedure was not covered, the Medicare beneficiary is not required to pay for the service. If the ABN is signed before receiving the service or item, and Medicare does not pay for it, the beneficiary must pay (some exceptions apply).

Providers are not required to issue an ABN for services or items Medicare does not cover.