Should you use an ABN when transporting a patient?

by CHARLES FIEGL on Jul 14, 2009

I was trolling through CMS's FAQ Web page and found these four situations where Medicare's Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) should or should not be used when transporting a patient.  Two of these situations show an ABN is applicable, according to CMS. However, an ABN cannot be used if it's an emergency transport because the patient is under durress.

  1. Other means of transportation not contraindicated (meaning, increasing risk)
    ABN Applicable: No
    Limitation on Liability Applicable: No
    Responsible for Payment: the patient
  2. Air to Ground Downcoding
    ABN Applicable: Yes
    Limitation on Liability Applicable: Yes
    Responsible for Payment: the supplier/provider or patient if ABN is signed
  3. ALS to BLS Downcoding
    ABN Applicable: Yes
    Limitation on Liability Applicable: Yes
    Responsible for Payment: the supplier/provider or patient if ABN is signed
  4. Mileage Partial Denial
    ABN Applicable: No
    Limitation on Liability Applicable: No
    Responsible for Payment: the patient

The information contained herein was current as of the publication date. © Copyright DecisionHealth, all rights reserved. Electronic or print redistribution without prior written permission of DecisionHealth is strictly prohibited by federal copyright law.