March 2007

NPI News from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Reminder to Supply Legacy Identifiers on an NPI Application
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urge providers to include legacy identifiers (this includes the Medi-Cal provider number) and associated provider identifier type(s) on their NPI applications. This will help all health plans, including Medicare, to prepare for May 23, 2007. Providers who have already applied for an NPI but did not include identifiers, must go to the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) and update their legacy identifier(s) information. Providers must ensure that the legacy identifiers are those used to bill for services and that NPPES is updated with this information for all health plans. This information is critical for health plans and health care clearinghouses to develop crosswalks to aid in the NPI transition.

New Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Article Available
A special edition of MLN Matters is posted on the CMS Web site and includes important implementation information for Medicare providers and information that may be helpful for all health care providers.

Still Confused?
Not sure what an NPI is and how you can get it, share it and use it? To view a list of resources that will help answer many questions about NPI, visit the NPI Question Resources page on the CMS Web site. CMS also continues to update Frequently Asked Questions about NPI.

To request a paper application, contact NPPES at 1-800-465-3203. TTY (text telephone) users may call 1-800-692-2326. Or, you can e-mail the request to NPPES at CustomerService@NPIenumerator.com.

Remember, getting an NPI is free – not having one can be expensive.

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