An ABN is a notice that a hospital, physician or other provider gives to a Medicare beneficiary before delivering the health care service in question, stating that Medicare may deny payment for the service. If a Medicare member does not get an ABN before getting the health care service, and Medicare denies the payment, then the consumer may not have to pay for the service. If, however, a consumer gets and signs an ABN, the consumer is likely to be responsible for the service if Medicare denies payment.
