No need to buy NPI kits
Compliance is easy, says council chair
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Posted Aug. 8, 2006 |
By Arlene Furlong "There is no need for dentists to pay an outside, for-profit vendor for materials or guidelines about the national provider identifier."
That's Dr. Gordon R. Isbell lll, chair of the Council on Dental Practice.
"It's as easy as ABC to apply for an NPI," says Dr. Isbell. "For step-by-step directions or answers to any questions, go to ADA.org. Do it today."
The national provider identifier is a 10-digit standard identification number for health care providers, required by May 23, 2007, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The NPI will be required on all HIPAA standard electronic transactions.
The ADA Department of Dental Informatics' top tips about applying for the NPI are:
- Applying for an NPI is free of cost.
- Apply for a Type 1 individual NPI as soon as possible at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov
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- If your practice is incorporated, apply for an NPI for the corporation (a Type 2 NPI), as well.
- An implementation guide is not required! Visit www.ada.org/goto/npi.
- Even if you don't use electronic claims, you may want to apply for an NPI because plans may require it on paper forms.
- Even if you don't use electronic claims, you may want to apply for an NPI because state laws may require dentists to use them on paper claims.
- Electronic transactions, including electronic dental claims, submitted on or after May 23, 2007, must include NPIs in the appropriate provider ID fields.
- Dental benefit plans may ask for your NPI some months in advance of the May 23, 2007, deadline.
Members should direct their questions or comments to NPI@ada.org. Those without e-mail or members who would prefer to talk to a staff member may call the ADA directly and ask for Ext. 4608.
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