Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
NPI Applications Made Simple
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently posted new information to help providers understand, obtain and use their new NPI numbers by the upcoming May 23, 2007 compliance deadline.
Guidelines for providers who want to score an NPI using the Electronic File Interchange ("bulk enumeration") process are now available at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/07--efi.asp.
Under the EFI process, providers and provider groups can have a separate EFI organization apply for an NPI on their behalf. The EFI organization submits the provider's application with other applications as part of an electronic file to streamline processing and reduce the administrative burden on CMS and the provider community.
Also, individual providers can now locate key NPI resources, application information and usage advice in a new CMS fact sheet at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPIFactSheet012606.pdf.
CMS began issuing NPIs on May 23, 2005 as part of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act. Medicare is accepting claims that include an NPI--but with or without an NPI, providers must continue to include an existing legacy Medicare number on claims through Oct. 1, 2006. Until the next phase of the NPI implementation process commences Oct. 2, CMS will reject claims that do not include a legacy Medicare number.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
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