MINNEAPOLIS, May 5, 2008—Beginning May 23, physicians will only be able to use their National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) when filing all electronic claims and some paper claims with Medicare and other payers.

The Bush administration already has extended this deadline by a year, but the American Medical Association and the Medical Group Management Association are soliciting support from medical specialty societies in asking the administration for an additional delay on enforcing the deadline.

Most physicians have NPIs and are using them on claims. But many are still providing their older ID numbers until the news system is fully underway.

The AMA and MGMA are hoping to retain that interim step for a period. 

AMA news story