What does ABN stand for in medical billing?

The term ABN stands for Advance Beneficiary Notification. This is a key document used in the context of Medicare billing. It is provided to patients before they receive items or services that may not be covered by Medicare. The purpose of the ABN is to inform patients that Medicare might deny payment for certain services and that they may be responsible for the costs if this happens.

The ABN serves a vital role in ensuring that patients are informed about their potential financial responsibilities, thus allowing them to make educated decisions regarding their healthcare. By having patients sign the ABN before receiving the service, providers can protect themselves from financial liability if Medicare denies the claim.

Understanding the concept of an Advance Beneficiary Notification is important in the field of medical billing and coding, as it has direct implications for both the provider's revenue cycle and the patient's financial obligations.