Urology Coding Alert
Watch for Searchable NPI Database
Question: There's so much information out there about using NPIs, but I haven't been able to find anything on how I can find other providers' NPIs. Is there going to be an easy way?
North Dakota Subscriber
Answer: CMS has finally answered this question, which has been on physicians' and coders' minds since the start of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) discussions. In the May 30 Federal Register, CMS published a notice explaining that there will be a searchable database that you'll be able to use to look up NPIs.
Good news: According to CMS, by the end of June you'll be able to download a file from the Web that contains the NPI information. You won't have to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to do so. You'll also have access to a "query-only" database, where you can search NPI numbers according to the provider's name or the actual NPI itself.
Bonuses: CMS is planning to provide monthly updates to the information in the database. Plus, you won't have to pay a fee to search or use the database.
You can view the entire notice online at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/DataDisseminationNPI.pdf.
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