National Provider Identifier
NPPES – Keeping It Safe and Keeping it Updated
This message is for health care providers, particularly physicians and other practitioners, who have obtained National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) and have records in the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends that each health care provider, including individual physicians and non-physician practitioners:
- Know and maintain their NPPES User IDs and passwords.
- Reset their NPPES passwords at least once a year. See the NPPES Application Help page regarding the ‘Reset Password’ rules. Those rules indicate the length, format, content and requirements of NPPES passwords.
- Review their NPPES records in order to ensure that the information reflects current and correct information.
Maintaining NPPES Account Information for Safety and Accessibility
Health care providers, including physicians and non-physician practitioners, should maintain their own NPPES account information (i.e., User ID, Password, and Secret Question/Answer) for safety and accessibility purposes.
Viewing NPPES Information
Health care providers, including physicians and non-physician practitioners, can view their NPPES information in one of two ways:
(1) By accessing the NPPES record at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do and following the NPI hyperlink and selecting Login. The user will be prompted to enter the User ID and password that he/she previously created. *
* If the health care provider has forgotten the password, enter the User ID and click the “Reset Forgotten Password” button to navigate to the Reset Password Page. If the health care provider enters an incorrect User ID and Password combination three times, the User ID will be disabled. Please contact the NPI Enumerator at 1-800-465-3203 if the account is disabled or if the health care provider has forgotten the User ID.
OR
(2) By accessing the NPI Registry. The NPI Registry gives the health care provider an online view of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)-disclosable NPPES data. The health care provider can search for its information using the name or NPI as the criterion.
Updating NPPES Information
Health care providers, including physicians and non-physician practitioners, can correct, add, or delete information in their NPPES records by accessing their NPPES records and following the NPI hyperlink and selecting Login. The user will be prompted to enter the User ID and password that he/she previously created.
Please note: Required information cannot be deleted from an NPPES record; however, required information can be changed/updated to ensure that NPPES captures the correct information. Certain information is inaccessible via the web, thus requiring the change/update to be made via paper application. Download and print the paper NPI Application/Update Form.
How Do I Share My NPI with Medicare?
Please share your NPI with Medicare by submitting it on Medicare claims. Unlike some health plans, there is no fax number, phone number or special website you need to use to communicate your NPI to Medicare. Medicare is now asking that submitters send a small number of claims using only the NPI. If no claims are rejected, the submitter can gradually increase the volume.
Importance of Up-to-Date Billing Software
Providers who use billing software should make sure they are using the most current version. Software vendors have made changes to accommodate the NPI. Running an outdated software version could contribute to claim rejections or the inability to send your NPI.
Still Confused?
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 at the CMS NPI page http://www.cms.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/ on the CMS website. Providers can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov or call the NPI enumerator to request a paper application at 1-800-465-3203 ; TTY 1-800-692-2326.
