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Radiology Coding Alert

ABNs:

Sidestep Common ABN Pitfalls With These Tips

Published on Thu Aug 04, 2011

Not sure how exact the estimated cost must be? Try this tactic.Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABNs) help patients decide whether they want to proceed with a service even though they may have to pay for it. A signed ABN ensures that the physician will receive payment directly from the patient if Medicare refuses to pay. Without a valid ABN, you cannot hold a Medicare patient responsible for the denied charges.As your practice prepares to switch over to the updated ABN (see "3 Updates Keep You Ahead of the Pack on MPFS, MRI, and ABN Changes" on page 59), keep these ABN essential truths in mind so you don't run afoul of CMS's coding rules.Avoid "routine" ABNs: Some practices give patients ABNs for the majority of their services to cover them "just in case" Medicare denies the service, but that constitutes an inappropriate use of the form. "Providers and suppliers must be [...]
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