The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented a contingency plan for compliance with the May 23, 2007, deadline for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) provisions of HIPAA.
The final rule establishing the NPI as the standard unique health provider identifier for healthcare providers was published in 2004 and requires all covered entities to be in compliance with its provisions by May 23 this year, except for small health plans, which must comply by May 23, 2008.
The CMS said that covered entities that have been making a good faith effort to comply with the NPI provisions may, for up to 12 months, implement contingency plans that could include accepting legacy provider numbers on HIPAA transactions to maintain operations and cash flows.
The agency said it decided to announce the guidance on its enforcement approach after it became apparent that many covered entities would not be able to fully comply with the NPI standard by the May 23 deadline.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
April 3, 2007
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