Representation in the healthcare profession
matters. As members of the athletic training
community, we are all vested in efforts
around reimbursement, legislation and
recognition by others in the healthcare
profession.
One way for the athletic training community
to increase this representation is by
acquiring National Provider Identifier (NPI)
numbers. According to the NATA, only
about 35% of Athletic Trainers have their
NPI – yet acquiring it is a quick process that
lends credibility to the individual and the
profession.
“There is definitely strength in numbers.
Using NPI statistics gives ATs more power
in legislative, regulatory and healthcare
initiatives, increasing our value as allied
healthcare providers,” said Kathy I. Dieringer
EdD, ATC, LAT, in a BOC blog post.
Dieringer said legislators, regulatory
agencies and insurance companies all use
the NPI database to determine market
penetration of healthcare providers.
Increased representation in the database
increases Athletic Trainers’ power in these
market studies.
It’s also important to remember that all
electronic health records require the Athletic
Trainer to identify themselves with their NPI
number. This is a HIPAA requirement. In
addition, NPIs are also essential when billing
third party payers for services performed by a
healthcare provider. If a claim is submitted to
an insurance company by an Athletic Trainer
with no NPI, the claim will be rejected, said
Dieringer.
Here, we answer a few common questions
about the NPI. Read on to find out how an
NPI helps you, instructions for getting one
and more.
Featured Stories
•;Help! How Do I List My
Credentials?
•;Task Force Discusses
Maintenance of
Competence
•;More Activities Will
Count for EBP CEUs
•;Exam Confidentiality
•;In-Depth Look: An AT in
an Orthopaedic Clinic
•;Featured BOC
Approved Provider:
Postural Restoration
Institute
•;Updates Made to BOC
Standards of
Professional Practice
•;And More!
EVERY ATHLETIC TRAINER SHOULD HAVE AN NPI
NPIs Boost AT Representation
ICATION
UPDATE
FOLLOW US:
(Continued on Page 15)
“Using NPI statistics gives
ATs more power in legislative,
regulatory and healthcare
initatives.”