What if I refuse to sign an ABN but I want the service or item anyway?

September 20, 2009 by admin

If you want the service or item, you should choose "Option 1. YES" and sign and date the ABN. If you refuse to sign, your supplier, physician, or provider, that takes assignment of your Medicare claim, may decide not to provide the service or item to you or may have a second person witness your refusal to sign the agreement and then furnish you the service or item. If an ABN being given to you is witnessed, you may be held liable because you are on notice of the likelihood of a Medicare denial. That is what makes you liable under the law. There are some exceptions, however. You cannot be held liable if you do not sign an ABN when items and services are furnished to you and assignment is not accepted by your supplier or physician. You also cannot be held liable if you do not sign an ABN when certain medical equipment and supplies are furnished even on an assignment basis. This exception applies with respect to unsolicited telephone contacts, failure to obtain advance determinations of coverage, and suppliers which do not have Medicare supplier numbers. But, remember, in these cases, your physician or supplier probably will not provide the service or item to you if you refuse to sign the ABN and agree to be responsible for payment.