The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, effective March 13, 2026. Providers and suppliers must begin using the revised form no later than May 12, 2026. The ABN is issued to Original Medicare beneficiaries when a provider believes Medicare may deny payment for a service or item that is typically covered, allowing the patient to decide whether to proceed and accept possible financial responsibility.
The updated ABN does not significantly change Medicare policy requirements, but it does improve the form’s readability and organization. CMS revised the language to make it easier for beneficiaries to understand why Medicare may deny coverage, what their options are, and whether they may be financially responsible for the service. The beneficiary option section was rewritten in simpler language, and the overall format was streamlined to reduce repetitive information and improve patient understanding.
While the form’s appearance and wording have changed, providers must still follow the same compliance requirements. ABNs must be issued before services are rendered, completed correctly, and retained in the medical record. The revised form also includes a new expiration date of March 31, 2029.
Providers should update electronic health record systems, replace older paper forms, and educate staff on the new version before the implementation deadline. Failure to use the updated ABN after May 12, 2026, could affect a provider’s ability to bill beneficiaries for services denied by Medicare.
The updated ABN form and instructions can be downloaded directly from CMS at: CMS Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) Page - select ABN Forms English and Spanish.