Frequently Asked Questions |
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Getting It |
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 What happened to the free offer? [ back to questions ]
Until recently you could download one directory during every update cycle completely free of charge.
I wish we could keep doing that, but here's what happened:
- Literally hundreds of downloads were being taken "against the rules," that is, people were creating multiple accounts and downloading multiple states every month. That cost us serious bandwidth problems, and slowed down our site for everyone. Eventually, it crashed our site, broke some stuff, and threw us offline for quite awhile.
- We put about 45 hours of work each month into processing the data, turning it into software, and uploading it so you can access it. Unfortunately, so few people were buying our non-free products that we were frankly losing money.
Those two things, taken together, meant that if we were going to keep doing NPIdentify Desktop -- the best NPI directory on the planet -- we would have to start charging a little bit for it, both to prevent the download avalanche, and to hopefully at least break even.
We're truly sorry! But the good news is that we've reduced the price, so for those of you that have been paying for multiple states, now you'll be paying far less! For those who were, well, shall we say "fibbing," you'll be paying a little bit more. It's still the best NPI directory out there, and it's still the least expensive, with all of the others running at least $39 per state!
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Is there a network version for multiple users? [ back to questions ]
We can provide custom solutions for virtually any Windows environment. Use the contact link below to get in touch.
http://www.npidentify.com/contact |
Since the NPI database is updated approximately monthly, will I be notified when updates are available? [ back to questions ]
Yes. We will notify you as soon as updates of NPIdentify Desktop containing the current NPPES release data are available for download. |
Getting Help |
How do I get help with NPIdentify? [ back to questions ]
Visit the Documentation page at this link for detailed use instructions. Limited free technical support is available by email at this link. You can also purchase Premium Technical Support at this link.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/help/index.htm |
Download and Installation Issues |
Do I need any additional software to run NPIdentify Desktop Edition? [ back to questions ]
No. The file that you download from the "First Timer" page (see link below) contains everything you need, including the database runtime components. Note: After you have installed NPIdentify Desktop once, you can download much smaller files to update your directory.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/index.htm |
Why does NPIdentify Desktop take so much hard drive space? [ back to questions ]
The full NPPES healthcare provider database runs more than 3GB (3,000,000,000 bytes) in size. One state is only a part of that, but some states have many more providers than others. Also, a powerful search capability is needed to deal with such large amounts of information, and the database engine itself takes up a lot of space. Hey, if this was easy, everybody coulda done it! |
How much disk space will I need for my state directory? [ back to questions ]
Each state is different because each state has different types and numbers of healthcare providers.The California database is huge, while Wyoming is tiny. Refer to the numbers beside the state names on the download page for approximate download file size and disk space requirements. |
Can I update my state directoty without having to do a large download again? [ back to questions ]
Yes. After you have successfully installed one NPIdentify Desktop directory, updates and additional state directories do not need to reinstall some sizable portions of the package. Use the smaller download files located at the link below.
http://www.npidentify.com/updir/index.htm |
How do I access my account at the NPIdentify Store? [ back to questions ]
Visit the NPIdentify Store at the link below, and click the "Login/Register" link at the top of that page. Enter your user name and password.
http://www.npidentify.com/directory |
What computers and operating systems can NPIdentify Desktop be installed on? [ back to questions ]
NPIdentify is designed for use with the most recent service packs of Microsoft Windows XP, XP Pro, Vista and Vista Business. View system requirements at the link below.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/help/index.htm#sysreq |
Can I install NPIdentify on an Apple computer with an Intel chip that runs the Microsoft Windows operating system? [ back to questions ]
Maybe. But NPIdentify is not designed or tested for that platform. |
After I install and then try to open the program, it tells me I can't because the program was "created by Microsoft Access." [ back to questions ]
Uh-oh! You ordered the wrong version. For your first installation you should have odered the First Timer version, available from the link below, and NOT the Update/Add State version.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt |
Why do I see Microsoft Access during the installation process? [ back to questions ]
NPIdentify Desktop uses the Microsoft Access 2007 runtime software for its operation. You DO NOT need to have Microsoft Office or Access to run NPIdentify Desktop, and if you DO have any version of Access, NPIdentify and the Access 2007 runtime will "play nice" with them. |
Why does Microsoft Access seem to have to reinstall after I close NPIdentify and then open one of my own Access databases? [ back to questions ]
Access isn't actually reinstalling, even though that's what the popup message may tell you. It is really only updating some registry keys. This is necessary to operate multiple versions of Microsoft Access on the same computer. |
I'm running Vista and have heard there may be issues with the Access runtime. [ back to questions ]
Not as far as we can tell, but we've heard the same thing. If you are running Vista, a solution to the so-called Access Confusion issue is to make a change in your Access compatibility settings. Really excellent step-by-step instructions can be found at the link below.
http://www.btabdevelopment.com/main/QuickTutorials/WindowsVista/RunasAdministrator/tabid/87/Default.aspx |
Can I uninstall NPIdentify Desktop? [ back to questions ]
Yes. You can uninstall the same way you would most other programs, using the "Add/Remove Programs" window in the Windows Control Panel. |
Using It |
How do I use the Search feature? [ back to questions ]
NPIdentify Desktop has a powerful Search feature. See the reference below for detailed instructions.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/help/index.htm#search |
How do I sort the listings by a particular field (provider name, zip code, etc.)? [ back to questions ]
You can sort (order) the listings ascending or descending on any data field, as well as zip code. See the reference below for detailed instructions.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/help/index.htm#sortorder |
Miscellaneous Issues |
Exactly what information is contained in NPIdentify Desktop? [ back to questions ]
NPIdentify Desktop uses data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). See the reference below for details on the data fields contained in the product.
http://www.npidentify.com/npidt/help/index.htm#datadetails |
How can I change the information contained on me? [ back to questions ]
We have no control over your NPPES record at CMS (the source for all NPIdentify data). We use only such data as CMS has determined must be made public according to the Freedom of Information Act. You can change your information at the first link below. We update monthly with the monthly NPPES data dissemination by CMS; if you update your NPPES record, changes should show up in our products within a few weeks. The second link below will take you to CMS privacy information.
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.privacy.info
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I would like to request that a feature be added to NPIdentify Desktop. How do I do that? [ back to questions ]
Your user input is what makes NPIdentify Desktop so gosh darned wonderful, so, you betcha! Just send us a note using the contact link below. And... Thanks!
http://www.npidentify.com/contact |
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Can I get a widget or a button for my web page, so my visitors can get a directory, too? [ back to questions ]
Yes! Visit the link below and select from a zillion different looks. The buttons can be displayed on your web page(s), and when your visitors click, they will arrive at a page where they can download NPIdentify Desktop.
http://www.npidentify.com/widgets.htm |
The data contained in NPIdentify is taken directly from published data derived from the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) provided monthly by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. federal government. Included are provider listings for the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. No listings showing known armed forces or foreign postal codes are included at this time. Neither NPIdentify nor its partners nor advertisers are responsible for the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data contained in its directories. In the rare instance when an enumerated provider does not appear in NPIdentify Desktop dataset, it will be due to nonconformance of the entry made by the provider's own authorizing official. The data was submitted to the National Provider Identifier (NPI) Enumerator, Fox Systems, by healthcare providers themselves, and those listings are taken as-is from the NPPES database distributed by CMS, exactly as uploaded by the healthcare providers – warts and all. CMS, not NPIdentify, has made the determination regarding what information would be available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and CMS alone has determined which data to make publicly available. No warranty is expressed or implied as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information presented here. (AMAZINGLY HELPFUL HINT: Providers, please make sure that the address state, postal code and taxonomy information is entered correctly in your NPPES record. Mistakes in these crucial areas can cause not only lookup issues, but also claims crosswalk problems that can cost you money. To update your own NPPES record, visit the NPPES provider update site at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart – NPIdentify has no way of updating your information.) The availability of the CMS web site via embedded links, and the information contained therein, are outside the control of NPIdentify. Click here for a message from CMS regarding issues connected with the current dataset.
