The Next HIPAA Requirement:    The National Provider Identifier  ( NPI ) The NPI is a ten-digit number that will be replacing other provider identifiers used in billing 3rd party payors for our professional services. This number is issued by the federal government through a third-party group, the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). Use of the NPI will be required beginning May 23, 2007. After this date, claims without an NPI will be rejected. Individual health care payers will notify you (prior to the May 23rd date) when they are ready to begin using NPIs in place of other identifiers on transactions related to third party billing for services. Am I Required to Have an NPI? If you answer "yes" to any one of the following questions, you are considered a "covered entity" and are required by federal law to obtain an NPI. • Have you submitted claims electronically? • Have your submitted claims attachments electronically? • Have you used the Internet to verify eligibility or check on the status of a claim?   About the NPI Even if you answered "No" to all of the above questions, perhaps you should consider obtaining an NPI as some health plans may choose to require NPIs on all transactions. All individual health care providers and group practice organizations are eligible to obtain an NPI. Acquiring an NPI will not make you a "covered entity". NPI’s are 10 digit random numbers that do not contain any coded information about the provider. NPI’s are permanent identifiers that do not change over time or expire. However, if any of the data related to your NPI changes (i.e., your name or address), you are responsible for submitting these updates to the NPPES within 30 days.   CMS (the old HCFA) 1500 Form is Changing The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a revised Form CMS-1500, which accommodates the National Provider Identifier (NPI). The new version of this form will be effective January 1, 2007, but will not be mandated for use until April 2, 2007. Between January 2nd and March 30th of 2007, providers can use either version of the CMS 1500 form. After April 2, 2007, the current version of the CMS 1500 will be discontinued and only the revised form (CMS-1500 (08-05) is to be used.   How Do I Get an NPI? Visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov Complete the application and follow instructions to submit it online, or to print it out and submit it by mail. After confirmation of the receipt of your application, you should receive your NPI via e-mail within one to five business days. Mailed applications may take up to 20 days to process. For more information about how to apply, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvidentStand/