The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently updated the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN), a form providers use to inform patients when Medicare may not cover a service.
The new ABN form (CMS-R-131) was approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on March 13, 2026, and is now effective immediately. The updated form will remain valid through March 31, 2029.
Access and download the updated ABN Form at CMS.gov
Providers can continue to use the previous version of the ABN until May 12, 2026. After that date, all providers must switch to the new approved form.
For more information and to access the updated ABN, providers can visit the CMS website or the Medicare Learning Network. Making sure your office is using the current ABN form helps ensure compliance and keeps patients properly informed about coverage.
Important Reminder: The Medicare ABN cannot be used for Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Providers must use the waiver of liability forms required by the individual Medicare Advantage payer if a service is denied as not covered. Using the payer-specific forms ensures compliance and properly notifies beneficiaries about coverage decisions.