CMS released a transmittal announcing a new and a revised modifier for use with advance beneficiary notices ABNs. The GA modifier definition is changing as illustrated below:
GA – Waiver of liability statement on file (old definition)
GA – Waiver of Liability Statement Issued, as Required by Payer Policy (new definition)Before the Notice of Exclusion of Medicare Benefits’ (NEMB) elimination, it served as an optional courtesy notice; explaining that excluded services (i.e., plastic surgery) is uncovered. Providers now use the ABN for this purpose. Report the GX modifier when the patient receives an ABN even though the patient would be liable without one.
GX – Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
Effective date: April 1, 2010
Implementation date: April 5, 2010