Healthcare providers across the United States must act quickly to remain compliant with new federal requirements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released a revised version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, with approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on March 13, 2026.

Failure to adopt the updated form by May 12, 2026 could result in significant financial consequences for providers.

What Is Changing?

The updated ABN form reflects CMS’s effort to improve clarity and accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries. While the purpose of the form remains the same—informing patients of potential noncovered services—the new version introduces several important enhancements:

• Improved readability: Simplified, plain-language formatting makes the form easier for patients to understand

• Enhanced design: A cleaner layout improves overall usability and comprehension
• Bilingual availability: Now offered in both English and Spanish to better serve diverse populations
• Updated validity: Includes a new OMB expiration date of March 31, 2029

These updates aim to reduce confusion and ensure patients can make informed decisions about their care.

Who Needs to Comply?

All providers, practitioners, and suppliers who issue ABNs to Original Medicare (fee-for-service) beneficiaries are required to transition to the revised form. This includes hospitals, physician practices, outpatient facilities, and other healthcare organizations participating in Medicare.

Required Actions Before the Deadline

To ensure compliance, providers should take the following steps immediately:

1. Download the updated form from the CMS FFS ABN webpage
2. Update systems and workflows including EHRs and billing software
3. Replace old inventory of printed ABN forms
4. Train staff across front desk, billing, and clinical teams
5. Utilize Spanish versions where appropriate for patient populations

Risks of Non-Compliance

Using an outdated ABN form after May 12, 2026, is not just a minor oversight—it carries real financial risk. Providers who fail to comply:

• May be unable to bill patients for services denied by Medicare
• Could face lost revenue from noncovered services
• Risk compliance violations during audits

In short, outdated forms can directly impact your bottom line.

Where to Access the Updated Form

Providers can find the revised ABN form and supporting materials through official CMS resources:

• CMS Beneficiary Notices Initiative (BNI) webpage
• CMS FFS ABN page
• Medicare Learning Network (MLN) educational materials

• Your regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for guidance

Final Thoughts

The May 12, 2026 deadline is fast approaching. Updating your ABN processes now ensures compliance, protects revenue, and improves communication with patients.

Healthcare organizations that act early will avoid disruption—those that delay may face unnecessary financial and operational challenges.