ABN Retention

50.7 - ABN Retention (Rev. 10862; Issued: 07-14-21; Effective: 10-14-21; Implementation: 10-14-21) The notifier should retain the ABN delivered to the beneficiary on file should there be any question regarding whether the beneficiary had knowledge of the potential financial liability. In certain situations, such as delivery by fax, the notifier may not have access to the original document upon signing. Retention of a copy of the signed document would be acceptable in specific cases such as this. In a case where the notifier that gives an ABN is not the entity that ultimately bills Medicare for the item or service (e.g. when a physician issues an ABN, draws a test specimen, and sends it to a laboratory for testing), the notifier should give a copy of the signed ABN to the billing entity. In general, it is 5 years from discharge/completion of delivery of care when there are no other applicable requirements under State law. Electronic retention of the signed paper document is acceptable. Notifiers may scan the signed paper or “wet” version of the ABN for electronic medical record retention and if desired, give the paper copy to the beneficiary.