As part of NCPPO's commitment to providing updates on industry changes and to help ensure that our day-to-day business with customers remains uninterrupted, physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals are reminded of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) Final Rule, part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). 

The NPI Final Rule was issued on January 23, 2004, and will allow each physician, health care professional and health care institution to use one unique identifier for all their business needs. This means that regardless of health plan, (including Medicare and Medicaid) providers will use the same provider identifier.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will only accept web-based applications beginning May 23, 2005.  Covered entities (health care providers, clearinghouses and health plans) will be required to use NPIs no later than May 23, 2007 (small health plans are allowed an additional 12 months to comply).

To learn more about NPI and read the letter issued in May by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), we have provider the following link for easy access, or you may access the CMS HIPAA Hotline at 866-282-0659.

NCPPO will continue to keep you updated on our compliance efforts.  If you have any questions feel free to contact your Network Service Specialist.