NPI: Get It. Share It. Use It.
Updated: March 28, 2007
As the health care industry transitions to HIPAA compliance, providers are reminded that there is no charge to obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI). Providers can apply online for their NPI by visiting the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Web site or by calling 1-800-465-3203 to request a paper application. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Web Site is the only source for official CMS education and information about the NPI initiative. All products located on this site are free.
CMS continues to urge providers to include Legacy identifiers on their NPI applications, not only for Medicare, but for all payers. If reporting a Medicaid number, providers must include the associated state name. If providers have already applied for their NPI, CMS instructs them to go back to the NPPES Web site and update their information with their legacy identifiers. This information is critical in developing crosswalks to aid in the transition to the NPI.
Getting an NPI is free – not having one can be costly. For reimbursement, an NPI will be required on all Medi-Claims sent for processing on or after November 26, 2007.