Home Health & Hospice Week

Docs' NPIs to debut soon on the Internet.

Any day now you can download a new database from the feds that will help keep claims--and compliance efforts--on track.

What: The new database will help home health agencies and other providers look up referring physicians' National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) for use on Medicare and other claims, said federal officials speaking at a June 20 audioconference held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

When: This summer the agency will issue the NPI information, which is drawn from National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data. "Very soon we will make available a file [online] to help people understand how the registry will work and where to find it," a CMS official said.

Where: For updates and information, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand. The first version of the database will be a file you can download from the NPI Web site, according to CMS. The agency will update the file regularly to reflect the revisions providers' make to their own NPI files.

In addition, CMS will offer a "query only" version of the database that can be accessed on the Internet. Changes to this database will be made in "real time."

Keep Your Sensitive Data Out Of The Directory

What you may not realize: The directory will list all providers' data, not just physicians'. That means your information will be in there too.

Important reminder: Health care providers who are covered entities under HIPAA are required to update their NPPES data within 30 days of any change.

"Now is the time to update," said a CMS official speaking at the forum, encouraging providers to review their NPI files before publication of the first database. Some providers may want to change home addresses to business addresses, for example.

CMS is also encouraging providers to double-check their entries under the category "other provider identifier types," which should include only legacy numbers that link to the provider who applied for the NPI in question.

New form: Providers should also review CMS' new NPI application form (CMS-10114). It provides several new opportunities to better identify providers, explained CMS officials at the forum. Changes include a chance to note where the applicant is a sole proprietor and/or a subpart of another entity.

To see the new form, go to the NPI Web site (www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand) and select "How to apply."

Note: A transcript of the NPI audioconference will be available soon at the NPI Web site.