Time to Get Your NPI

In May, CMS introduced a new Medicare Provider Enrollment Application form (CMS 855). This revised enrollment process makes it even more crucial to apply for your new National Provider Identifier number sooner rather than later.

Home medical equipment providers making changes to their enrollment must include their new NPI number on the form. You also must include a copy of the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System NPI notification with the application. Not only will no initial application be approved without this information, but you will not be able to update existing information without your new NPI.

If you receive your three-year re-enrollment in the mail, and you do not yet have your NPI number, you will not be able to submit the re-enrollment application until you get it. Since this process takes some time, you run the risk of having your Medicare provider number deactivated if you wait too long to apply for an NPI.

If you have not experienced a deactivation of your Medicare provider number, I do not recommend going through it. We all know how difficult it can be to have your number reactivated.

NPI numbers are not mandatory until May 23, 2007, but CMS recommends that you obtain your NPI at least six months prior to this date. You need to share it with any payers that may need it and also make sure there are no issues with the new number. You do not want to find out it does not work on May 24, 2007.

There are several ways in which you can apply for your NPI number. You can complete the online application at the NPPES Web site at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do. If you prefer paper, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/npi/01_overview.asp and download the application, fill it out and mail it using certified mail with a return receipt request.

Another way to apply is to authorize an employer or other trusted organization to obtain an NPI for you through bulk enumeration or Electronic File Interchange.

Regardless of how you obtain your NPI, it is important to retain a copy of the notification document that NPPES sends along with your NPI number, just as you would with your Medicare provider number document or your federal tax ID Document.