ALBANY, New York – The NPI is a unique, government-issued, standard identification number for individual health care providers and provider organizations like clinics, hospitals, schools and group practices. The government has contracted with an external company for processing applications and developing these random 10-digit numbers for applicants.

Anyone who uses standard electronic transactions, like electronic claims, eligibility verifications, claims status inquiries and claim attachments, will be required by federal law to start including NPIs on electronic transactions no later than May 23, 2007. In addition, those who use only paper, voice and fax to transmit these communications are certain to encounter health plans that require NPIs. The ADA urges all dentists to apply for NPIs as soon as possible. The NPI has many advantages over identifiers now in use:

• Replaces the Social Security Number, Individual Tax ID or other identifiers on standard electronic health care transactions. Dentists will not have to maintain multiple, arbitrary identifiers required by dental plans, nor will they have to remember which number to use with which dental plan. Electronic claims function more efficiently by introducing another element of standardization to processing. Contains no vital intelligence about the provider’s name, location, specialty, patients or qualifications.
• Does not replace the DEA number used for prescribing controlled substances. Does not replace state-issued licenses and certifications verifying a provider's licensing or qualifications.
• Social Security Number, Individual Tax ID and Employer ID will still be used for tax purposes.

Early application for and receipt of an NPI means your practice will be ready to use an NPI when requested by a patient’s health plan. It is likely that some plans will begin requesting NPIs prior to May 23, 2007, for electronic transactions. Even if you do not use electronic transactions, you should be prepared.

Applying for an NPI: Visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do complete the questionnaire and submit your application. This takes about 20–30 minutes. After confirmation of your data’s receipt, you should receive your NPI via e-mail in one to five business days.

A downloadable application form is also available. Download the application form, print, complete and mail per the instructions. Processing of paper applications will take about 20 business days.

SOURCE: New York State Dental Association

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