Instructions for Deleting Data Elements on NPI Applications

Physicians can purge "optional information" from their National Provider Identifier (NPI) application to prevent this information from going public. You should delete the optional information of your choosing before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' massive data release makes it public information.

If you are in a group (e.g., medical school or group practice) that used a third party to administrate your NPI application, contact the administrator to initiate your changes.

Steps to Remove Information Online

Important!  Once you have completed your changes on the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Web site, be sure to log out of the NPPES system. If you fail to log out, your application will lock up, and you will be unable to make changes on subsequent visits to NPPES Web site. If this happens to you, call NPPES at (800) 465-3203 for assistance.

1. Go to the  NPPES website. 
2. Click on the link in "If you are a Health Care Provider, the National Provider Identifier (NPI) is your standard unique identifier."

3. Click on "Login." You will need the user ID and password you created when you applied for your NPI number.

   • If you don't remember your log-in information, whoever is listed on your NPI application as the contact person should call NPPES at (800) 465-3203 to get the information. If no one answers, listen to the prompts, and choose "NPI Specialist." If you have more than one NPI number, ask for log-in information for all your numbers.
   • If you do not have a user ID and password because you sent in a paper application, click on "Create Login to View or Update your NPI Data." 
    
4. Logging in will take you to your NPI application. Any information that does not have a red asterisk is optional. This is the information you CAN delete. Legacy numbers are optional, but health plans may need these numbers until full implementation of the NPI, after which the legacy numbers will no longer be valid. At this time, you also can change any information in the "red asterisk" areas.
5. To complete your application update, check the box at the top to indicate you certify the changes, then hit "submit."
6. Log out.  
7. If you have another NPI number, return to the NPPES home page, and repeat steps two through six.

Steps to Remove Information Using the Paper Form

Important!  You may delete information only as instructed below. All other information is mandatory. You may change or update any information by writing the changes in the fields.

1. Download the NPI application/update form ( PDF ) and print it out.
2. In Section 1, select A.2. Change of Information, write in your NPI number, and check "Replace Information."
3. In B.2. Entity Type, indicate the entity type that correlates with NPI number in A-2.
4. In Section 2, under A. Individuals, you may WRITE "delete" in the following fields: A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, and A12.
5. Under B. Organizations (includes groups), you may WRITE "delete" in the following fields: B3 and B4.
6. In Section 3, Under A. Business Mailing Address Information, you may WRITE "delete" in the following fields: A7 and A8.
7. Under B. Business Practice Location Information, you may WRITE "delete" in field B8.
8. Under C. Other Provider ID Numbers, you may WRITE "delete" in all fields. Legacy numbers are optional, but health plans may need these numbers until full implementation of the NPI, after which the legacy numbers will no longer be valid.
9. Under D. Provider Taxonomy Code, you may WRITE "delete" in fields D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, and D9.
10. In Section 4, Under A. Individual Practitioner's Signature, sign and date if appropriate.
11. Under B. Authorized Official's Information and Signature for the Association, all information is mandated. This section must be signed if the update form is for a group NPI number.
12. In Section 5, Under A. Contact Person's Information, check the box if appropriate. All information is mandated. You may change this information.

 Call NPPES at (800) 465-3203 if you have any questions about the online or paper process.

These instructions are courtesy of Pat Harris, Harris County Medical Society.