Prescriber File

Although Retail Pharmacy is acknowledged as having the most accurate data in the industry, an NHIN study found that Pharmacy's prescriber data-including the DEA number-is, at best, approximately 50 percent accurate and on average, only 25 percent accurate.

Furthermore, after May 23, 2007, pharmacies will be required to include the National Prescriber Identifier (NPI) on each of the more than 3 billion claims submitted annually. As of now, most prescriber records do not include the NPI.

NHIN has developed the Prescriber File database to meet the immediate need for more complete and accurate prescriber data, as well as to prepare the industry for the NPI requirement.

The NHIN Prescriber File allows pharmacies to prepare for automated enumeration of prescriber records with the NPI. The file is supported in the PDX Pharmacy system via Distributed Processing, and you can pull down new prescriber records and update existing records with information from your PDX Host System.

The NHIN Prescriber File is both competitively priced and easy to implement. NHIN Data Services will help you update your Host system with the initial comprehensive file and provide monthly file updates thereafter. As development continues, more frequent file updates are planned in the future.

The file is also available to non-PDX customers in the NCPDP version 1.1 format.

Delays in preparing for the NPI could result in a significant increase in costs resulting from rejected claims, manual data entry, and even penalties.

Contact us to find out how the NHIN Prescriber File can both improve the accuracy of your prescriber data and prepare you for the upcoming NPI requirement.

NHIN Prescriber File
The NHIN Prescriber File is a comprehensive database of physicians, dentists, podiatrists, veterinarians, and mid-level practitioners, such as physician assistants and advanced nurse practitioners. With over one million records, the database contains extensive information on each practitioner, which may include:

• First name, last name, and middle initial (in most cases)
• Prescriber address verified and standardized according to U.S. Postal Service files and rules
• Multiple addresses per prescriber (when available)
• DEA number on almost every record
• National Prescriber Identifier (NPI) (when available)
• Additional identifiers (where available)