National Provider Identification (NPI) News!

Starting May 23, 2005, all health care providers can apply for their National Provider Identifier (NPI). The NPI will replace health care provider identifiers in use today in standard health care transactions. The health plans with whom you do business will instruct you as to when you may begin using the NPI in standard transactions. All HIPAA covered entities except small health plans must begin using the NPI on May 23, 2007; small health plans have until May 23, 2008. For additional information, and to complete an application, visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov on the web.

Also, an instructional web tool, called the NPI Viewlet, is now available for viewing at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/npi/npiviewlet.asp and under "HIPAA Latest News" at www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2 on the CMS website. This tool provides an overview of the NPI, a walkthrough of the application, as well as live links to the NPPES website where the learner can apply for an NPI. This tool is designed for all health care providers. In the near future, you will also be able to access the viewlet at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov on the web.