CMS Adopts Unique Identifier

WASHINGTON—In an effort to streamline its operations, the Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will adopt a standard, unique identifierfor use by employers beginning July 30, 2002. 

A specific Employer IdentificationNumber (EIN) will be used by each employer in filing and processing health careclaims and other transactions required by the Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Internal Revenue Service issues EINs,and employers who pay wages to workers are already required to have one.