SNF Advance Beneficiary Notice vs Non-Coverage Notice: Which Did You Receive?
Two Medicare notices used in skilled nursing can look like “Medicare won’t pay,” but they do different jobs.
A Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice (SNF ABN) is primarily a financial-liability notice. A Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) is a service-termination notice with fast-appeal rights.
Do not respond to one as though it were the other.
SNF ABN: potential liability
CMS says the SNF ABN, Form CMS-10055, is used for Original Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries when the SNF expects Medicare Part A may not pay for extended-care items/services that are usually covered because they are not medically reasonable/necessary or are custodial.
It is intended to inform the beneficiary before the potentially noncovered service is furnished so the person can decide whether to continue and accept possible financial responsibility.
For certain Part B items/services, SNFs use the regular ABN, Form CMS-R-131.
NOMNC: covered services are ending
The NOMNC, Form CMS-10123, is used when Medicare-covered SNF, home health, hospice, or CORF services are ending.
It identifies the coverage-end date and explains how to request an expedited review.
It is used for both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage contexts under the applicable process.
They answer different questions
| Notice | Main question |
|---|---|
| SNF ABN | “If I continue this service, could I be financially responsible because Medicare may not pay?” |
| NOMNC | “Medicare-covered services are ending—how do I challenge that termination quickly?” |
Check the form number
Look for:
CMS-10055 → SNF ABN
CMS-10123 → NOMNC
Do not rely on staff shorthand such as “the Medicare paper.”
Ask whether both notices apply
In some situations, different notices can be relevant at different stages.
Ask:
- Is coverage ending?
- Is the resident continuing to receive services after that date?
- What financial liability is being transferred?
- Is a claim going to be submitted?
- What appeal right applies?
- What deadline is on the notice?
Do not confuse either notice with facility eviction
A nursing-home discharge/transfer notice is governed by separate resident-rights rules.
A resident may remain after Medicare coverage ends under another payment arrangement if the facility and resident arrangement permits.
Notice comparison card
Form number: ____________________
Notice type: ____________________
Date received: ____________________
Coverage/service affected: ____________________
Financial liability described: ____________________
Coverage-end date: ____________________
Appeal deadline: ____________________
Claim submission requested?: ____________________
Separate facility discharge notice?: Yes / No
Frequently asked questions
Does signing an ABN mean Medicare definitely will not pay?
No. It means the provider believes Medicare may not pay and is giving the required notice before transferring potential liability.
Does a NOMNC estimate what I will owe?
Its main purpose is to tell you when covered services end and how to seek expedited review.
Can I appeal after an ABN?
If a claim is submitted and Medicare denies it, appeal rights may apply depending on the situation and option chosen.
The practical goal
Before acting, identify whether the paper is about financial liability or termination of covered services.
The form number, date, affected service, and instructions tell you what process comes next.
Related NHP guides
- What Is a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage in Skilled Nursing?
- Nursing Home Deposits and Upfront Fees: Questions Before Paying
Primary sources checked
*Editorial/source review: October 15, 2026. General education only. Notice rights, network status, prior authorization, billing liability, and appeal deadlines must be confirmed from the beneficiary’s actual plan and documents.*
