BALTIMORE--On Tuesday, CMS announced it would postpone release of the National Provider Identifier registry until Aug. 1.

While CMS had said the registry would be available June 28, a notice from the agency said the delay would give providers more time to analyze their own information for the new Internet database and to make any updates, changes or deletions they feel are necessary. Along with the new NPI numbers, the registry will include information obtainable though the Freedom of Information Act. (See HomeCare Monday, June 4.)

May 23 was the official deadline to begin use of the NPI, which replaces all other identifiers for health care providers. CMS said approximately 98 percent of the estimated 2.3 million covered health care providers now have NPIs.

According to the notice: "CMS understands that the health care industry is in urgent need of the FOIA-disclosable [National Plan and Provider Enumeration System] health care provider data; however, CMS believes it is in the best interests of the industry, and the health care providers in particular, that the NPPES data we will be disclosing be as accurate as possible."

When it is ready, CMS said the data would be available in an initial downloadable file, to be updated monthly, that users can query by name or NPI. To ensure the inclusion of any changes in the initial file, the agency said they must be received by July 16.

In addition, CMS said it is now asking providers to test a small number of claims by submitting them using only their NPI. "If no claims are rejected, the submitter can gradually increase the volume," the notice said. "If any claim is rejected due to provider identifier issues, first verify your NPI to make sure it was entered correctly. If the NPI is correct, then data in either NPPES or Medicare provider files is incorrect ... It is critical that you start testing with your NPI now."

CMS said it is currently working on a special edition "MLN Matters" regarding verifying NPPES data and will announce the article as soon as it is available.

For the latest information on the NPI data dissemination, as well as a list of the FOIA-disclosable data elements, click here.

Providers can make changes to their data online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov, or can call the NPI enumerator at (800) 465-3203 to request a paper application.