Do you have your NPI? Have you registered your NPI with BCBSNC? Compliance date, May 23, 2007, is fast approaching.Please see Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Contingency Plan. The administrative simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) require a national standard identifier for health care providers. That standard identifier – the National Provider Identifier (NPI) – is scheduled to be in place by May 23, 2007 for all providers submitting health care transactions electronically. The NPI is a 10-digit number that will replace all current Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) provider numbers on all electronic transactions. Providers who utilize electronic transactions are required under the HIPAA regulations to request an NPI, notify their payers of their NPI assignment, and to use their NPI on all electronic transactions. The regulation also requires providers to share their NPI with other providers, health plans, clearinghouses, and any entity that may need the NPI for billing purposes. If you delay applying for your NPI, you risk your cash flow and that of your health care partners as well. How to Apply for Your NPIThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has contracted with Fox Systems to be the enumerator responsible for administering the assignment of the NPI(s) to providers. Providers may apply via a Web site or by submitting a paper application. To apply for NPI at NPPES: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do The following CMS sources can provide you with updates and information about NPI:
Resource ToolsThe Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has created resource tools for providers to assist in the understanding of steps necessary as related to NPI. There are two versions of the resource tools: one for individual and small practice providers and the other for large practice and institutional providers. Individual and small practice providers’ resource tool may be accessed here: Small by Web Developers The resource tool for large practice and institutional providers may be accessed here: Large by Web Developers Register Your NPI with BCBSNCIf you have not registered your NPI with BCBSNC please do register as soon as possible. You may register with BCBSNC through Blue eSM or by contacting your Network Management Field Office. When you register your NPI with BCBSNC, the information is shared with our subsidiary, PARTNERS National Health Plans of North Carolina, Inc. NPI Claims Processing at BCBSNCBCBSNC began the NPI Dual Use phase in October 2006 and will remain in Dual Use until moving to compliance May 23, 2007. Dual Use allows the provider the following options in filing claims:
While BCBSNC policy currently does not require an NPI for paper submitted transactions, all providers are encouraged to obtain and incorporate the NPI into their office practices as requirements for electronic filing to BCBSNC evolve. If you have any questions related to BCBSNC and NPI you may contact your local Network Management Field Office.
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