Failure to prepare could result in a disruption in cash flow. Will you be ready to use your NPI? Time is running out!

To date, over 1.6M providers have obtained an NPI. Now, only 120 days are left to implement the NPI into business practices prior to the compliance date. A recent survey of the health care industry, conducted by the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), indicates that providers should have already obtained an NPI and be focusing on implementation and testing with health plans and clearinghouses. If you have not obtained your NPI by now you should do so immediately so that you can begin the implementation and testing process

Reminder to Supply Legacy Identifiers on NPI Application

CMS continues to urge providers to include legacy identifiers, as well as associated provider identifier type(s), on their NPI applications. This will help all health plans, including Medicare, to get ready for May 23, 2007. If reporting a Medicaid legacy number, include the associated State name. If providers have already been assigned NPIs, CMS asks them to go back into the NPPES and update their information with their legacy identifiers if they did not include those identifiers when they applied for NPIs. Providers should make sure that these legacy identifiers are the ones used to bill for services and should be sure that the NPPES is updated with this information for all health plans. This information is critical for health plans and health care clearinghouses in the development of crosswalks to aid in the transition to the NPI.

New MLN Matters Article Available

A new Special Edition MLN Matters article is now posted on the CMS website with important implementation information for Medicare providers, as well as information that may be helpful for all health care providers. You can view this article by visiting http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0679.pdf on the CMS website.

Upcoming WEDI Events

WEDI will host the WEDI NPI Industry Forum on February 12th, an audio cast on the impact of the NPI on standard transactions on February 28th, as well as a question and answer session on March 21st. Visit the WEDI website for more details at http://www.wedi.org/npioi/index.shtml on the web. Please note that there is a charge to participate in WEDI Events.

Still Confused?

Not sure what an NPI is and how you can get it, share it and use it? As always, more information and education on the NPI can be found at the CMS NPI page www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand on the CMS website. Providers can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov or can call the NPI enumerator to request a paper application at 1-800-465-3203.

Getting an NPI is free - not having one can be costly.

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