Make changes to NPI information before July 16

As noted in previous emails to our members, certain information provided by physicians in signing up for their National Provider Identifier (NPI) applications will be accessible in the near future and physicians should review the information submitted on their NPI application. The information will be released by August 1st.

It is suggested that physicians 1) Review the information supplied on their NPI application, which CMS has said it is permitted to disclose, to ensure it is accurate and make any necessary changes. 2) Ensure that the address furnished is the business address, not a home address. 3) Review the information supplied to and consider deleting any “optional” information already provided.

CMS will not release a physician's Social Security Number, tax ID numbers, date of birth, state and country of birth, and "contact" information. (The address section, however, will be released).

CMS has created the document "Information on FOIA-Disclosable Data Elements in NPPES" that spells out which information CMS feels it is permitted to release to the public in the online NPI registry. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/06a_DataDissemination.asp#TopOfPage  (under 'Downloads') to read it.

Physicians can make changes online using their username and password at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/  or they can make changes on an NPI change of information form, which CMS recently revised. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CMSForms/CMSForms/list.asp#TopOfPage  to download the new form no. 10114, which will be accepted starting July 10 by CMS. The old form will be accepted by the NPI enumerator if it is postmarked by July 13 but that form is only available by calling (800) 465-3203. The last day for physicians to make changes or deletions to their NPI information is July 16.