Excerpt: Physicians will someday be able to use one identification number to fill out all their claim forms, but there is a long road before that goal comes to fruition. Starting May 23, 2005, physicians can submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to receive their own National Provider Identifier. That single ID number will eventually replace all other identifiers that physicians use in reimbursement and other transactions with private payers, clearinghouses[.]

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