Dear Member:

We would like to inform you of an upcoming change recently announced by The Department of Health and Human Services. As an initiative authorized by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 all providers will be required to apply for a national Provider Identifier beginning May 23^rd 2006.

As you may be aware, the National Provider System of NPS, will be a common identification system under federal direction. This is being implemented to improve adaptability to new technologies, resulting in increasing efficiency and accuracy when working with healthcare and government regulatory organizations.

Providers will apply for this number through the Department of Health and Human Services. For further information on this ruling please visit https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov

By clicking on the link above you will be directed to the online application. You will then be guided through the application process. For more information or to receive an application by mail please contact the NPI Enumerator as follows.

By Mail: NPI Enumerator P.O. Box 6059 Fargo, ND 58108-6059

By Phone: 1-800-465-3203 (Toll free) 1-800-692-2326 (TTY)

For information like this and much more please visit us frequently www.ida-usa.org

Sincerely,

Viren Jhaveri DDS

Chairman, Web Committee.