Why do I need an NPI number?
You’ll almost probably be refused if you try to submit a claim without an NPI number. This isn’t simply the case with Medicare claims; it’s also the case with private payers. So, if you want to be compensated for your services, you’ll need one of these 10-digit codes.
“NPIs may also be used to identify health care providers on prescriptions, in health plan benefit coordination, in patient medical record systems, in program integrity files, and in other ways,” according to CMS.
But NPIs aren’t just another logistical stumbling block for healthcare providers; they’re also designed to save you time: they help streamline the electronic claims submission process by eliminating the need for providers to track and submit insurer-specific identifiers.
How do I get an NPI number?
You can apply for NPI in three ways
- Apply online at the CMS website’s National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) page. You’ll create an NPPES username and password, log into your account, and complete the electronic application there. This is without a doubt the quickest and most straightforward option for a single provider to obtain an NPI. The entire procedure should take no more than 20 minutes.
- Fill out an application and mail it to the address provided on the form, which you can download and print. Don’t have access to a printer? You can get a hard copy of the application by contacting 1-800-465-3203 or sending an email to customerservice@npienumerator.com.
- Make an application for your NPI on your behalf through an electronic file exchange organization (EFIO). This method, sometimes known as “bulk enumeration,” is designed for submitting huge amounts of provider data in one go. Check out this CMS website for more information on electronic file interchange.
Would I ever need to get a new NPI?
An NPI, like a diamond, lasts a lifetime—most of the time. The NPI is “meant to be an enduring identification, and is intended to stay unchanged even if a health care provider changes his or her name, address, provider taxonomy, or other information that was provided as part of the original NPI application process,” according to CMS.