CMS Delays Dissemination of National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Data

The NPPES Data Dissemination Notice (CMS-6060-N) was published on May 30, 2007. NPPES health care provider data that are required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will be made publicly available. The FOIA-disclosable data will be made available in an initial file downloadable from the Internet, with monthly update files also downloadable from the Internet, and in a query-only database (the NPI Registry) whereby users can query by NPI or provider name. The Notice stated that these data will be available 30 days after the publication date, and CMS had previously stated that they would be available on June 28, 2007.

CMS believes that health care providers need additional time, beyond what was afforded in the Data Dissemination Notice, in which to view their FOIA-disclosable NPPES data and make any updates or deletions (where permitted) that they feel are necessary. Therefore, CMS has decided to delay the dissemination of FOIA-disclosable NPPES health care provider data until August 1, 2007, 60 days after the publication date of the Notice. CMS will provide additional information in the near future with respect to the date by which changes would have to be submitted in order to be reflected in the initial downloadable file. CMS understands that the health care industry is in urgent need of the FOIA-disclosable NPPES health care provider data; however, CMS believes it is in the best interests of the industry, and the health care providers in particular, that the NPPES data we will be disclosing be as accurate as possible. For the latest information on Data Dissemination, as well as a list of the FOIA-disclosable data elements, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/06a_DataDissemination.asp  on the NPI Web site.

As always, more information and education on the NPI can be found at 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.