Delta Dental - Dentists - NPI Information

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Getting Your NPI Into the Delta Dental System

Report Once and Submit Properly on Claims to Ensure Smooth Transition

Applying for an NPI was easy. Getting that NPI out to all of the carriers and clearinghouses that need it can be a more difficult and time-consuming task.

At Delta Dental, there’s no need to send letters or e-mails to all of our individual Member Companies notifying them of your number. Just report it to the local Delta Dental Member Company serving your area and they will share your information with the rest of the Delta Dental system. Check first to see how they prefer to receive NPIs. This might require submitting a special form, placing a phone call or faxing a copy of the letter you received from the NPPES when they assigned an NPI to you. Simply including your NPI on a claims form will not do the trick.

Once you’ve sent us your NPI you can begin using it on claims. To ensure that claims are processed quickly and accurately, you’ll need to use a claim form that accommodates the NPI.

If you submit claims electronically, you might have to upgrade your software to be sure your claim forms have specific NPI fields. Check with your practice management vendor to learn about your options. For offices submitting paper claims, newer forms provide a designated place for the NPI. Jotting it in the margin or rubber-stamping it in an unauthorized place on the claims form will slow down the claims process. Many carriers use electronic scanning technology to speed claims processing, and these systems have a hard time with information that is not entered in its designated field.

If you have not yet applied for your NPI, whether you are required by law to do so or you simply want the business advantages associated with an NPI, the process is quick, simple and free. To find out more information about NPI compliance and to apply for your NPI, visit the official government Web site at: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do

NPI Quick Facts: Submitting Your NPI to Delta Dental

If you have your NPI, check with your local Delta Dental Member Company and ask how they prefer to receive it -- by fax, phone, mail or e-mail. Simply submitting it on a claim will not ensure that it’s entered into our system.
Once you’ve reported your NPI to us, you can begin using it on claims.
Use newer claims forms that accommodate the NPI by providing a specific spot for it. This might require a software upgrade or switching to a newer version of the paper claims form.
The NPI compliance deadline of May 23, 2007 has passed.
To find out more and to apply for your NPI, visit the official government Web site at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do