NPI? What the H is that?

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I've landed my first job! It's with an agency working at home with patients and their families. I've filled out countless amount of paper work. I filed and received my .

Just when I thought I'd be able to start then my supervisor has me file for NPI. That online application was such confusion it gave me a headache!

Then he emails a document that I must file with the NPI which has yet to arrive. I wish he'd had mentioned all this before I changed my schedule with my current non nursing job. I'm losing money and not working a case waiting for this NPI but my bills and rent surely are waiting with me!

So what exactly is an NPI? What does do or help? Why do I need it?

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Specializes in Home Health.

National Provider Identifier Standard (NPI) - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

I know docs have NPI, but never heard of an RN or LPN having one. Advance practice RN's probably do too.

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National Provider Identifier Standard (NPI) - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services I know docs have NPI but never heard of an RN or LPN having one. Advance practice RN's probably do too.[/quote']

I was told I had to apply which I did Tuesday evening and I'm still waiting for my number.

Do you think I'll have to wait long because of this 'Government Shut Down'?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Learn something new everyday......more government oversee.....hummmm.....

Purpose and Scope of the NPI

The primary purpose of the NPI is to identify a healthcare provider in standard transactions, such as billing for healthcare. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) Frequently Asked Questions Web site: "NPIs may also be used to identify health care providers on prescriptions, in internal files to link proprietary provider identification numbers and other information, in coordination of benefits between health plans, in patient medical record systems, in program integrity files, and in other ways.[2]"

An NPI must now be used by all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-covered entities, including private insurance plans or providers. The NPI number is designed to stay the same throughout job or location changes.

What is a HIPAA-covered entity? A HIPAA-covered entity is defined as a healthcare provider who conducts transactions in electronic form, a healthcare clearinghouse, or a health plan.[3] CMS has published charts that help identify whether you or your employer meet the criteria for a covered entity that can be accessed online.[3]

Other circumstances that may require the nurse to obtain an NPI include occupational health, home health, long-term care, and any area in which nursing services are billed separately.

[h=3]The National Provider Identifier (NPI) - Centers for Medicare [/h]

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Learn something new everyday......more government oversee.....hummmm.....

AHA!! Thank you. I see now. What a pain in the butt! Can you believe it's still pending? It is only supposed to take up to 2 days. Ugh

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Well the government is "open again" I wish you the best let us know how it goes!

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Well the government is "open again" I wish you the best let us know how it goes!

So I was told! Finally something good will come from them lol. Thanks for the information. I appreciate it!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Yes APNs most certainly have them! As do all nurses that are responsible for billing.

When I applied for mine it took only a few hours. The government shutdown may have back logged them a bit.

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Yes APNs most certainly have them! As do all nurses that are responsible for billing. When I applied for mine it took only a few hours. The government shutdown may have back logged them a bit.

I'm so through with this government.

Now let's see how much longer I'll be waiting now

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