NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue – Department 325, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2006
Contacts: Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Department of Human Services, 701-328-4933, or Val Friedig, National Provider Identifier Project Manager, N.D. Information Technology Department,
701-328-7396
State agencies host meetings on new National Provider Identifier
Medical service providers who submit electronic claims are urged to attend
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Human Services and the state Information Technology Department are co-hosting a series of informational meetings beginning August 9, 2006, for medical service providers and their associations who will be impacted by the new federal National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. The new identifier will replace the multiple identification numbers that hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers currently use when filing claims with different health plans including Medicaid and Medicare. It goes into effect May 2007.
The meetings will be held the second Wednesday of every month through December 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., in the Judicial Wing of the State Capitol, second floor, AV Room. Providers outside of the Bismarck area should e-mail the help desk at [email protected] for dial-up information that will enable them to participate. Providers are encouraged to e-mail questions to the help desk at least 24 hours in advance.
“The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires this new
standard unique identifier. Providers have questions that range from applying for a number to information technology matters,” said Val Friedig, National Provider Identifier Project Manager for North Dakota’s Information Technology Department. “We want to be proactive by offering monthly question and answer forums for our business partners.”
Friedig said the change impacts providers who conduct electronic transactions and is intended to enhance data interchange including the submission of claims. It will also allow health plans including Medicaid, the state and federally funded coverage program for qualifying low-income persons, to send remittance advices and possibly referral authorizations to health care providers.
In preparation for the national provider identifier, the North Dakota Department of Human Services is making adjustments to its Medicaid claims payment system.
Information and resource links are on-line at http://www.nd.gov/humanservices/info/providernpi.html
NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services – Download [Optimized PDF]
NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services – Download