UPIN
Encyclopedia
A unique physician identification number, or UPIN, was a six-character alpha-numeric identifier used by Medicare
to identify doctors in the United States. They were discontinued in June, 2007 and replaced by National Provider Identifier
, or NPI numbers.
The United States Congress authorized the creation of UPIN IDs through Section 9202 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) was responsible for creation of the UPINs for each doctor accepting Medicare insurance.
A directory of UPINs was formerly available from the UPIN Registry, as required by Section 4164 of COBRA, but this service was discontinued after May 23, 2008.
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
to identify doctors in the United States. They were discontinued in June, 2007 and replaced by National Provider Identifier
National Provider Identifier
A National Provider Identifier or NPI is a unique 10-digit identification number issued to health care providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ....
, or NPI numbers.
The United States Congress authorized the creation of UPIN IDs through Section 9202 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration , is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer...
(CMS) was responsible for creation of the UPINs for each doctor accepting Medicare insurance.
A directory of UPINs was formerly available from the UPIN Registry, as required by Section 4164 of COBRA, but this service was discontinued after May 23, 2008.
External links
- CMS's System Of Record (SOR) page for UPIN — includes a link to detailed information published in the Federal RegisterFederal RegisterThe Federal Register , abbreviated FR, or sometimes Fed. Reg.) is the official journal of the federal government of the United States that contains most routine publications and public notices of government agencies...