In a letter dated May 6, 2005, CMS has announced the availability of a new identifier for use in the standard electronic health care transactions. The National Provider Identifier (NPI) will be the single provider identifier, replacing the different provider identifiers physicians currently use for each health plan. The NPI is the standard unique health identifier for health care providers adopted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. The NPI will replace health care provider identifiers that are in use today in standard transactions. Implementation of the NPI will eliminate the need for health care providers to use different identification numbers with multiple health plans. Many health plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance issuers, and all health care clearinghouses must accept and use NPIs in standard transaction by May 23, 2007. Small health plans have until May 23, 2008. After those dates, health care providers may use ONLY their NPIs to identify themselves in standard transactions. Beginning May 23, 2005, physicians may apply on line for their NPI. Paper application will being July 1, 2005. A CMS announcement letter informed physicians and other health care providers about the NPI, describes the three ways to obtain an NPI, and gives physicians guidance on what to do once an NPI is obtained. The letter provides resources as well if physicians have questions about the NPI. To view the CMS announcement letter go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/npi_provider.asp