CMS urges providers to update National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data by July 16
Providers who have been assigned National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) should view their National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data by July 16 to update, change or delete (where permitted) the data.
In accordance with a notice published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2007 (CMS-6060-N), CMS will soon release provider information contained in the NPPES. This information is required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and should be as accurate as possible. In order for the most up-to-date information to be included in the initial release, providers must submit changes by the July 16 deadline.
CMS has made available a document that will assist providers in making updates, changes, and deletions to the FOIA-disclosable NPPES provider data. The document is entitled, “National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Data Elements – Data Dissemination – Information for Providers” available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPPES_FOIA_Data%20Elements_062007.pdf n the NPI website. CMS strongly recommends that providers read this document as soon as possible.
Of particular concern, some providers may have mistakenly included their Social Security number in incorrect fields. In these instances, if the error is not corrected the provider’s SSN could be published along with other data. Please review your NPPES data to ensure that you have entered all information in the correct fields. Providers are NOT to report SSNs or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) in the “Other Provider Identifier”/”Other Provider Identifier Type Code” section (or in any other data element in the list included in the document referenced above).
Not sure what an NPI is and how you can get it, share it and use it? As always, more information and education on the NPI can be found at the CMS NPI page www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand on the CMS website. Providers can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/, or can call the NPI enumerator to request a paper application at 1-800-465-3203.
Getting an NPI is free - not having one can be costly.