Released March 13, 2026 – CMS ABN Update
ABN Use
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) issue the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) to notify beneficiaries and shift potential financial liability when items or services are expected to be denied under Medicare Part B only.
- Effective Date: Now
- Deadline to transition to updated ABN: May 12, 2026
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the control number for the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) (CMS-R-131). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued notification via its website and the Medicare Learning Network and has posted the updated ABN form.
The updated ABN is effective immediately and will expire on March 31, 2029. Providers may continue using the prior version of the ABN until May 12, 2026; however, transition to the newly approved form must be completed no later than that date.
Questions regarding the ABN can be submitted here.
Downloads
The Point Is: Please share this updated required form with applicable team members to ensure continued compliance with CMS regulations regarding appropriate notification of Medicare Part B recipients.
