CMS ABN Update: Form CMS-R-131 Revised — Effective March 13, 2026
Act now—update your Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) before you miss the deadline! Form CMS-R-131 Revised — Effective March 13, 2026
⚠ ACTION REQUIRED — COMPLIANCE DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the revised form on March 13, 2026. All providers, practitioners, and suppliers who issue ABNs to Original Medicare (fee-for-service) beneficiaries must transition to the new form.
What Has Changed
CMS improved the notice's readability and design. Key updates include:
Enhanced readability and plain-language formatting throughout the form
Improved visual design to support clearer beneficiary comprehension
Now available in both English and Spanish
New OMB expiration date: March 31, 2029
Required Actions
Providers must take the following steps prior to May 12, 2026:
Get the updated Form CMS-R-131 from the CMS BNI webpage.
Update EHR systems, billing software, or workflows to use the new form.
Replace all printed ABN supplies with the updated version.
Inform your front desk, billing, and clinical staff of the change.
Use the Spanish version if needed for your patients.
Do not use outdated ABN forms after May 12, 2026—failure will prevent you from billing denied services and create direct financial risk for your practice.
Download the updated form and instructions at:
CMS BNI Webpage: cms.gov/medicare/forms-notices/beneficiary-notices-initiative
CMS ABN Page: cms.gov/medicare/forms-notices/beneficiary-notices-initiative/ffs-abn
Medicare Learning Network (MLN): cms.gov/outreach-education/medicare-learning-network
Contact your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for jurisdiction-specific guidance.
