Full access
Psychiatric Practice & Managed Care
Published Online: 17 June 2005

Apply Now for National Provider Identifier Number

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 40, Number 12
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.40.12.00400013d
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) has finally arrived after more than a decade of discussion and planning. Since May 23 health care providers have been able to apply for this new 10-digit number, which will eventually replace all current health care provider identification numbers, including the Uniform Provider Identification Number (UPIN) used by Medicare.
The creation of the NPI was mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) with the goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the electronic transmission of health information.
The NPI must be used by most HIPAA-covered entities. A health care provider is a covered entity if the provider submits or receives transactions electronically that are covered under HIPAA's Electronic Transactions Standards.
Medicare, Medicaid, large private health insurers, and health care clearinghouses must start using the NPI in all their transactions with providers on May 23, 2007. Small health plans have a year longer to comply—May 23, 2008.
APA members who are not covered entities under HIPAA may want to apply for an NPI anyway, since it will eventually become the universal identifier for all U.S. health care providers and will be used in the National Provider System, which will include data on all U.S. health care providers.
You can apply for an NPI in three ways:
•
Complete the online application form accessible at<https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov>.
•
Fill out a paper application and submit it to the Enumerator, the entity that will be assigning the NPIs. Applications can be downloaded from<https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov> or obtained by calling (800) 465-3203.
•
Starting in the fall, with your permission, an organization with which you are associated will be able to submit your application electronically.
In a letter sent last month to health care providers, CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., reminded providers not to begin using their NPI until they receive specific instructions from health plans about when they will start using them.
McClellan's letter is posted online at<www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/npi_provider.asp>. More information about the NPI and HIPAA is posted at<www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/regulations/identifiers/default.asp>.▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 40 • Number 12 • June 17, 2005
Pages: 13

History

Published online: 17 June 2005
Published in print: June 17, 2005

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.