NPI - Will You Be Ready?
GET IT.
Covered health care providers have had nearly two years to apply for their National Provider Identifiers (NPI). Further procrastination could disrupt your cash flow. Act now if you still don’t have your NPI! It’s easy and it’s free!
SHARE IT.
Have your NPI and don’t know what to do with it? Share it. Share it with health plans you bill and the colleagues who rely on having your NPI to submit their claims (e.g., those who bill for ordered or referred services). You should also share it with your business associates, such as a billing service, vendor, or clearinghouse. Pay attention to information from health plans with which you do business as to when they will begin accepting the NPI in claims and other standard transactions.
USE IT.
Once your health plans have informed you that they are ready to accept NPIs, begin the testing process. Consider sending only a few claims at first as you test the ability of plans to accept the NPI. Fewer claims will make it easier to keep track of status and payment, as well as troubleshooting any potential problems that may arise during the testing process.
Additional NPI Resources
Solving NPI Crosswalk Conundrums – Corporate NPI Information
From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Key dates and details about NPI requirements
Verify that the NPI “Crosswalk” is Safe