Dissemination of NPPES Data

Approximately 98% of the 2.3 million covered health care providers now have NPIs. Health plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers are now transitioning to the implementation phase for NPI compliance.

The NPPES Data Dissemination Notice (CMS-6060-N) was published on May 30, 2007. NPPES health care provider data that are required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will be made publicly available. The FOIA-disclosable data will be made available in an initial file downloadable from the Internet, with monthly update files also downloadable from the Internet, and in a query-only database (the NPI Registry) whereby users can query by NPI or provider name. The Notice stated that these data will be available 30 days after the publication date, and CMS had previously stated that they would be available on June 28, 2007.

CMS believes that health care providers need additional time, beyond what was afforded in the Data Dissemination Notice, in which to view their FOIA-disclosable NPPES data and make any updates or deletions (where permitted) that they feel are necessary. Therefore, CMS has decided to delay the dissemination of FOIA-disclosable NPPES health care provider data until August 1, 2007, 60 days after the publication date of the Notice.