Adoption of the National Provider Identifier has raised some questions recently at PREFERRED. If you have questions on the NPI or other question on HIPAA, log on to our Member Center and post your question(s) on our Discussion Forum.

Q: How do I obtain more information on the National Provider Identifier?
A: Simply access the Member Center and click on HIPAA updates.

Q: When should covered entities apply for their NPI?
A: Covered entities were able to begin applying for their NPI on May 23, 2005.

Q: When should a provider begin to use their NPI?
A: Healthplans will notify providers when they are ready to accept the NPI. However, by May of 2007, providers doing electronic transactions, Healthcare clearinghouses, and large health plans must use only the national provider identifier to identify providers in standard transactions. Small plans have an additional year to implement that requirement and must use only the NPI by May of 2008. So it behooves providers to obtain their NPIs by May of 2007.

Q: I understand that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just hosted a roundtable on the NPI. Will there be future roundtable conferences that I can attend?
A: CMS will host a National HIPAA National Provider Identifier (NPI) Roundtable conference call on September 14, 2005 at 2:00 PM ET. The call in number is 1-877-203-0044 and the identification number is 5580762. There is no cost and registration is not required.

Q: I get so confused when I fill out applications. Is there anything to assist me in this process?
A: CMS has developed an instructional tool called the NPI viewlet. The viewlet will explain the NPI, provide a brief description of the system behind the NPI and lead you through the NPI application process. To access this tool, simply log on to the Member Center and click on HIPAA updates.

FREE Web Based CMS Training

Need a quick run-down on HIPAA, or to brush up on Medicare Payment Policies? What if there was a resource that would teach your staff how to file Medicare claims accurately and reduce your chance of rejections? CMS offers FREE Web Based Training Modules through their Medlearn section. Sign up and take the course online. Courses typically last about 60 minutes. To learn more or to take these courses, go to Newsletter Links.