| NPI: How to Test your NPI Number |
|
Proceed with caution…
Going “NPI Only” now is the best way to test, identify, and rectify any issues that could impact your business operations after May 23, 2008—the date the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will lift its enforcement-leniency policy, and fines will begin to be imposed for non-compliance.
Testing Tips
 |
Providers who submit paper claims exclusively may continue to submit NPI-only paper claims, without waiting for a “Congratulations” postcard, as long as they have shared their NPI with BCBSTX.
|
|
Providers who submit both paper and electronic claims must wait for a “Congratulations” postcard prior to submitting NPI-only electronic claims. BCBSTX must first verify that our systems are configured to accept your NPI-only electronic claims submission. If you submit NPI-only electronic transactions prior to receiving this notification from BCBSTX, your NPI-only electronic claims will be rejected.
|
|
Be sure to continue to use your Tax Identification Number on all claims. Your TIN is required for taxpayer reporting purposes; it will also enable BCBSTX to cross reference your NPI to your existing provider record, if needed.
|
|
Contact your software vendor, billing service, and/or clearinghouse to ensure they have your NPI and are equipped for NPI-only submission of your claims.
|
|
If you submit claims electronically and have not received your “Congratulations” postcard, or if you have received your “Congratulations” postcard but are unable to submit NPI-only claims during our suggested NPI Only phase, you may continue to submit claims with dual identifiers through May 23, 2008.
|
|
If you need assistance regarding how to transition to submitting NPI-only claims, contact your Provider Network Representative.
|
Remember: May 23, 2008, marks the end of the dual-identifier acceptance phase at BCBSTX. As of this critical date, all claims must include only your NPI, per the federal regulation.
|
|
