What must an ABN specify?

An Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) is a form that healthcare providers use to inform beneficiaries that Medicare may not cover certain services or items. It must specify the expected costs associated with the items and services in question. This serves to ensure that patients are aware of their financial responsibility should Medicare deny payment for the specified services. Providing clear cost information helps patients make informed decisions regarding their care and whether they choose to proceed with the service.

While the other options present different pieces of information that could be relevant in a healthcare setting, they do not fulfill the specific purpose of the ABN. The history of the patient may be important for clinical decisions but is not a requirement of the ABN. The provider's license number relates to the provider's qualifications but is not needed to meet the requirements of the ABN. Lastly, the location of service delivery is relevant in terms of healthcare services but does not directly relate to the ABN's requirement to inform patients about potential costs for non-covered services. Thus, the specification of costs is a critical element of the ABN to ensure transparency and informed consent from the patient.