NPI: The Importance of Reporting Medicare Legacy Numbers in NPPES
The NPI is here. The NPI is now. Are you using it?
Information for Medicare Providers Regarding the Importance of Reporting Legacy Numbers in NPPES
The reporting of legacy numbers in the "Other Provider Identifier"/"Other Provider Identifier Type Code" fields in the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) will assist Medicare in successfully creating linkages between providers' NPIs and the identifiers that Medicare has assigned to them (such as PINs).
You should be aware that if you remove your legacy numbers from the "Other Provider Identifier"/"Other Provider Identifier Type Code" fields, linkages that Medicare has established using the reported Medicare legacy numbers will be broken and your Medicare claims could be rejected.
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 through the CMS NPI page www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand on the CMS Web site. 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.
Page last updated: Aug. 8, 2007
