Important Notice
For Physicians and Office Managers

Help Us Better Serve You:  Prepare Now for NPI
Register Your NPIs with UniCare Now to Avoid
Disruption in Claims Payment

On May 23, 2007, the National Provider Identifier (NPI) will change the health care industry. Physicians, facilities, dentists, vision care providers, behavioral health professionals and other health care professionals must begin using this unique, all numeric, 10-position identifier when requesting reimbursement for health care services.

The transition to NPI directly affects electronic and paper claims processing and payments for providers.

We have developed the following checklist to assist you as you work toward NPI compliance: 

• Apply for NPIs Today
  Contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today to apply for your NPI(s) if you have not already done so. The NPI application process is easy to use, and there’s no charge to providers who apply directly to CMS for NPIs. Log onto the CMS web site or dial toll free at (800) 465-3203 to get started.
  
  For the most efficient application processing and the fastest receipt of NPI(s), use the web-based application process. Simply log onto the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) and apply online.
  
  Providers who do not complete this step immediately put themselves at risk of not being able to complete the full NPI transition with their health plans and electronic vendors—prompting disruptions in service and payments.
  
  
• Register NPIs with UniCare
  Register your NPI(s) with UniCare at our NPI Registration web site. UniCare requires all providers that submit electronic or paper claims to preregister their NPIs with us prior to May 23, 2007. UniCare will be validating all NPIs on incoming transactions, and if a provider has not already registered his/her NPI with us, the claim will be rejected. 
  
  For provider offices with many NPIs, a bulk submission process is available online – you’ll find instructions on our bulk submission web site.
  
  
• Begin Filing Claims Now to UniCare with the Correct NPI Numbers
  When filing claims and transactions with NPIs, ensure the numbers are VALID.  Prior to May 23, 2007, your claims and other transactions with NPIs must also include your current tax identification numbers in order to be processed.  If the NPIs submitted are invalid, or are not accompanied by your current TIN/EIN, we will be unable to complete processing—so please take time to check the accuracy of NPIs.