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Applying for a National Provider ID

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ), you will be able to apply for your NPI in one of the following ways:

You may apply through an easy web-based application process, beginning May 23, 2005.
You may prepare a paper application and send it to the entity that will be assigning the NPI (the Enumerator) on behalf of the Secretary, beginning July 1, 2005 . A copy of the application, including the Enumerator's mailing address, will be available on https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov. You may also call the Enumerator for a copy at 1-800-465-3203 or TTY 1-800-692-2326.

It is estimated that applicants will receive their NPI within 10 days after a properly completed application is received. Once you have been assigned an NPI, you must furnish updates within 30 days of any changes. You may receive notices about the NPI from other health plans, but remember, you need apply only once for an NPI. The same NPI is used for every plan.