BALTIMORE--CMS will begin accepting applications for National Provider Identifiers--a new numbering system that will replace all current identifiers for health care providers--on May 23.

All providers affected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act must obtain an NPI, one of several administrative simplification provisions mandated under the law. The compliance date is May 23, 2007, and the following year for small health plans.

Applications will be accepted via a secure Web-based system at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov beginning May 23 this year. Paper applications will be available on July 1.

For more information on the NPI, click here.