NPI - National Provider Identifier
NATA strongly encourages all Athletic Trainers to register for their National Provider Identifier number (NPI) “NATA views having an NPI number like having a state license: it’s a professional requirement and adds credibility to both the individual and the profession,” says Cate Brennan Lisak, director of external affairs. “Once ATs get their NPI number, it will be theirs forever -- no matter where they work. There’s no downside to having an NPI number.” Applying for an NPI number is quick, easy and free.
The National Provider Identifier is the result of the mandate in the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) that the Secretary of HHS establish a standard national provider identifier. Though all healthcare providers will be eligible to receive NPI’s, covered healthcare entities will be mandated to use the NPI as the sole provider identifier on all HIPAA electronic transactions. The 10 digit number will be assigned by a CMS-funded NPI “Enumerator” through the NPPES (National Provider and Plan Enumeration System).
The NPI is a numeric 10 digit identifier, consisting of 9 numbers plus a check-digit in the 10th position. It is accommodated in all standard transactions and contains no embedded information about the healthcare provider that it identifies.
When filling out your application use:
Provider Code 22 (Respiratory, Rehabilitative & Restorative Service Providers)
and Taxonomy Code 2255A2300X (Athletic Trainer)
To Apply go to:
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart
To view the CMS Background and Application Process Information for Healthcare Providers Viewlet. This may take a few minutes to load.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/npi/npiviewlet.asp
For more information on NPPES, go HERE to visit their web site or call toll free at 1-800-465-3203.
Click here for more NPI information on the NATA Web site.