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Does Your Pharmacy Have a NPI?

Your pharmacy must have and use the new National Provider Identifier (NPI), instead of the NABP number, by May 23, 2007. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated that the Secretary of Health and Human Services adopt a standard unique health identifier for health care providers. On January 23, 2004, the Secretary published a Final Rule that adopted the NPI as this identifier.

All HIPAA covered healthcare providers, whether they are individuals or organizations, must obtain an NPI for use to identify themselves in HIPAA standard transactions. NPI will replace the different provider identifiers you currently use for each health plan with which you do business. Once enumerated, a provider's NPI will not change. The NPI remains with the provider regardless of job or location changes.

HIPAA covered entities, such as providers completing electronic transactions, healthcare clearinghouses, and large health plans, must use only the NPI to identify covered healthcare providers in standard transactions by May 23, 2007. Small health plans must use only the NPI by May 23, 2008.

If you haven't already done so, you can apply for your NPI in two ways:
1. You can apply through a web-based application at $$Link
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov
0$$.
2. You can fill out a paper application and mail it. A copy of the application is available on $$Link
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov
0$$. You may also call to have a copy of the application mailed to you. The phone number is 1.800.465.3203.

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