October 2006 NPIs Needed of Referring MDs as well as Performing Provider's NPI .... By May 2007

We all need to watch for CMS's publication/listing regarding "data dissemination" info as it will discuss how we are suppose to obtain referring MDs NPIs. Currently all Medicare claim data requires us to include the UPIN -Unique Physician Identification number-only issued to MDs, not CRNAs- on all CRNA claims, this is not to be confused with a CRNA's Medicare provider number. This is usually the UPIN of the surgeon. Therefore, if the CRNA has all their NPI ducks in a row, but the surgeon does not have an NPI or does not covey it, then the claims will not pay out. We currently have a national registry of UPIN numbers that we can go to, to obtain UPINs but until someone instructs of such, no one seems to know if a national NPI registry -accessible by all- is going to be available. The gathering of referring MDs UPINs is always a hassle as everyone is afraid to let those numbers out, so starting over with this process without a national registry will be very difficult and consequently, if CRNAs or their employers do not have the referring MDs NPIs then payment / claim processing, will not take place.