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Since October 2, 2006, providers have been encouraged to submit both the NPI and Medicare legacy identifier (PIN) on their claims.  During this timeframe providers were not penalized for invalid NPI/legacy ID combinations.

Effective September 17, 2007, NHIC, Inc. will begin editing the NPI/legacy ID combinations for validity against the NPI crosswalk file. Where a match cannot be located on the crosswalk, claims will be rejected or returned to the provider. 

  When the claim is returned, a provider should first verify that the correct NPI was submitted.  If correct, you will need to verify that your legacy identifier (PIN) number corresponds with the information on file with the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). NPPES data may be checked on line at  https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov.

  If your NPPES information is correct and you have included and matched ALL Medicare legacy identifiers with a corresponding NPI in NPPES, but you are experiencing provider identifier problems with your claims that contain an NPI, you may need to submit a Medicare enrollment application (i.e., the CMS-855).  Please contact Customer Service at 877-527-6613 if  you need more information.   

  More information and education on the NPI may be found at the CMS NPI page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand on the CMS website. Also, providers can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov.

  If your claims are processing properly with the NPI / Legacy cross-walk, we urge you to send a small batch of 3-10 claims with the NPI number only to validate that the cross-walk of the legacy number, formerly Provider Identification (PIN) or Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN), with the NPI is correct.  This approach will be helpful in detecting any NPI problems for the provider without effecting cash flow.