In four months, physicians will be required to use their new National Provider Identifiers (NPI) on claims and other electronic health care transactions. NPIs will replace UPINs and other payor-specific provider identification numbers.

CMA recently surveyed major California payors to assess their NPI readiness. The results of the survey are available to members at the members-only website.

CMA would like to thank the payors who have participated to date, Aetna, United Healthcare/PacifiCare, and Blue Shield.

More information on NPIs is available in CMA ON-CALL document #1608, “National Provider Identification Numbers.” ON-CALL documents are free to members at CMA’s members-only website. Nonmembers can purchase ON-CALL documents for $2 per page in the CMA bookstore.

Contact: CMA’s reimbursement help line, 888/401-5911.