Latebreakers: CMS sets NPI dissemination day

CMS announced that it would release NPI number data beginning Sept. 4, at which point all data that are disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act will be made available to the public. Healthcare providers have until Aug. 20 to change their NPI registration forms to ensure that private information will not be mistakenly revealed. According to CMS officials, many healthcare providers inadvertently included personal data like Social Security numbers, home phone numbers, and birth dates on NPI application forms. The data dissemination has been delayed repeatedly, which some complain has made it difficult for healthcare providers to get and share NPI numbers.