Department of Health and Human Services 

OFFICE OF 

INSPECTOR GENERAL 

JUNE GIBBS BROWN 

Inspector General 

OCTOBER 1999 

OEI-07-98-00410 

Accuracy of Unique Physician 

Identification Number Data 
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), as mandated by Public Law 95-452, as 

amended by Public Law 100-504, is to protect the integrity of the Department of Health and 

Human Services programs as well as the health and welfare of beneficiaries served by them. This 

statutory mission is carried out through a nationwide program of audits, investigations, 

inspections, sanctions, and fraud alerts. The Inspector General informs the Secretary of program 

and management problems and recommends legislative, regulatory, and operational approaches to 

correct them. 

Office of Evaluation and Inspections 

The Office of Evaluation and Inspections (OEI) is one of several components of the Office of 

Inspector General. It conducts short-term management and program evaluations (called 

inspections) that focus on issues of concern to the Department, the Congress, and the public. The 

inspection reports provide findings and recommendations on the efficiency, vulnerability, and 

effectiveness of departmental programs. 

OEI's Kansas City office prepared this report under the direction of James H. Wolf, Regional 

Inspector General. Principal OEI staff included: 

REGION HEADQUARTERS 

Perry A. Seaton, Project Leader Bambi Straw, Program Specialist

Tricia Fields, Program Analyst Barbara Tedesco, Mathematical Statistician

Mike Craig, Program Inspection Assistant Brian Ritchie, Program Analyst

Scott Horning, Program Analyst 

To obtain copies of this report, please call the Kansas City Regional Office at (816) 426-3697. 

Reports are also available on the World Wide Web at our home page address: 

http://www.dhhs.gov/progorg/oei 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

PURPOSE 

To determine whether the information associated with Unique Physician Identification 

Numbers is complete and accurate. 

BACKGROUND 

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 requires physicians and 

other health care professionals to obtain a Unique Physician Identification Number 

(UPIN). This is a national number that distinguishes the individual ordering or furnishing 

the service or supply from the entity requesting or receiving Medicare reimbursement, 

such as corporations, clinics and partnerships. In 1989, the Health Care Financing 

Administration (HCFA) established the UPIN Registry and assigned unique numbers to 

Medicare physicians. In 1994, the Registry was expanded to include non-physician 

practitioners and group practices. The Registry also maintains data on each practice 

location, by Provider Identification Number (PIN). The UPIN remains active as long as 

there is at least one active PIN. The HCFA plans to use the Registry information as 

source data for the National Provider Identifier, which will replace UPINs and PINs after 

the year 2000. 

Before the unique identifier is assigned, the individual or entity must enroll with the 

Medicare carrier and provide documentation of any professional and governmental license 

requirements. Each claim for Medicare reimbursement must list the UPIN for the service 

provider, the number of the referring professional, if any, and the entity’s PIN for the 

practice location. 

We obtained the most recent UPIN Registry, also known as the Medicare Physician 

Identification and Eligibility Record data base (October 1998). We analyzed it to 

determine if data was missing or contained improbable entries. In addition, we validated 

information for a stratified sample of providers with State license agencies, independent 

certification entities, and Medicare carriers to determine the error rate for the sample. 

FINDINGS 

HCFA Has Taken Meaningful Actions to Enhance the Accuracy of UPIN Data 

The HCFA has implemented a number of significant enhancements to the provider 

enrollment process to improve program safeguards and increase the reliability of UPIN 

data. These changes include: additional controls on the assignment of provider numbers; 

new requirements to conduct extensive verification and authentication of license and 

professional qualifications of number applicants; shortened protocols to deactivate 

numbers that do not have recent utilization; requirements for the provider to notify the 

carrier of any changes in their status; and mandatory inclusion of the Social Security 

Number. In addition, HCFA plans to require the periodic re-validation of provider 

information. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 1 OEI-07-98-00410 
As a result of HCFA actions, our analysis of the sample and the universe shows that 

virtually all Registry data fields are complete and contain feasible entries. We identified 

only 92 Social Security Numbers associated with more than one UPIN, a significant 

improvement when compared to the 1995 Health Economics Research study which found 

up to 11,600 providers with potentially multiple UPIN registrations. 

The Social Security Number, an important identifier, was inaccurate for 13 percent of 

UPINs. We recognize, however, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 has only recently 

required providers to furnish this information to receive Medicare payment. 

Despite These Efforts, Problems Continue to Exist With Some Physician Registry 

Data 

Almost one-fourth of the active UPINs have no recent Medicare claims activity 

From our sample we estimate 23 percent of the active UPINs had no claims activity for 

the past year and 17 percent had no claims activity for the past 3 years. We also estimate 

39 percent of the associated active Provider Identification Numbers for individual practice 

settings have no Medicare claims activity within the past year. Twenty-seven percent have 

no activity for the past 3 years. 

Coding instructions and formats adversely affect the usefulness of information 

< We estimate 88 percent of the entries for the State license number do not agree with 

the licensure agencies’ information. Of these errors, 72 percent of the numbers differ 

in format and 28 percent contain leading zeros in the first 3 positions of the number. 

Our analysis of the universe established that over 46 percent of the numbers also 

contain 3 or more leading zeros. This convention can create difficulties in performing 

computer matching and number verification. 

< We estimate inaccurate professional school codes for 8 percent of the UPINs and for 

5 percent of the PINs. 

< We noted additional problems with the coding for physician specialities and 

certifications. For the universe, the board certification code, which is optional data, 

contained feasible codes for only 62 percent of the records for the primary speciality 

and 30 percent of the records for the secondary speciality. 

Some providers have numerous active PINs 

Many providers (68 percent of the total UPIN universe) had 3 or less PINs and most 

(97.9 percent) had 10 or fewer. However, the remaining UPINs had from 11 to 

57 separate billing numbers for each UPIN for a total of 9,535 PINs. This small group of 

providers, in reflecting a high volume of billing numbers, represent an enhanced risk for 

improper billing or utilization by the provider, employees, a third party, or even carrier 

personnel. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 2 OEI-07-98-00410 
Some UPIN Data is Inconsistent 

Several UPIN data fields for a provider’s individual practice settings contain data that 

apply to all of their practice locations. Examples include: State license number; 

Professional School Code; and Primary and Secondary Speciality Codes. We found 

carriers are updating only some of the provider-specific practice information on the UPIN 

record, resulting in inconsistencies for different practice locations. Maintaining such 

information on each provider’s practice setting greatly increases the opportunity for 

errors, omissions, and discrepancies. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

We have found a number of UPIN and PIN issues that need attention. However, many of 

them can be effectively addressed when HCFA implements its process for periodic 

re-validation of provider information. 

Deactivate UPINs and PINs for Inactive Providers and Practice Locations 

The HCFA should ensure that carriers deactivate provider numbers and UPINs in

accordance with its instructions when no claims have been submitted to them for the

preceding 12 months. This should be an active review element of the periodic Carrier

Performance Evaluation review. To reduce program vulnerabilities and minimize

administrative costs, HCFA could consider implementing a shorter time frame 

(i.e., 2 consecutive quarters).

Improve Data Entry Instructions for Specific Data Fields 

We recommend the Medicare Carriers Manual Part 4, § 1015, Exhibit 2, be revised to 

specify that the State license number be entered exactly as shown on State records and 

licenses. The instructions should specify that the number be left justified, and that 

characters, numbers, and spaces are acceptable. In addition, HCFA should review 

instructions for coding provider specialities and certifications to provide for the 

possibilities of “none” under provider speciality and “not applicable” under board 

certification. This should significantly reduce coding errors by carrier personnel for health 

providers who are not board certified or for professions that are not independently 

certified. 

Establish a Priority to Review Individuals with Numerous PINs 

The HCFA should require carriers to establish a priority for review of individuals with 

numerous (i.e., more than 10) PIN numbers. Such reviews should address the utilization 

of these numbers and their legitimacy. 

Reconcile Identical Fields in UPIN and PIN Records Before Implementing National 

Provider Identifier 

The HCFA should ensure that its contractors update applicable changes to all related 

UPIN and PIN records. In planning for the National Provider Identifier and National 

Provider System, HCFA could avoid inconsistent data between these records by using a 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 3 OEI-07-98-00410 
single file for practitioner-specific data, or linking identical fields in different records to 

flag conflicting entries. 

AGENCY COMMENTS 

The HCFA concurs with the report and has undertaken or is planning meaningful steps to 

implement the recommendations. Appendix D contains the complete text of these 

comments. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 4 OEI-07-98-00410 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 6

FINDINGS

HCFA has taken actions to enhance UPIN data accuracy ....................... 10

Problems Continue to Exist With Some Physician Registry Data ................. 10

< No recent claims for almost one-fourth of active UPINs .................... 10

< Coding instructions adversely affect the usefulness of information ............. 11

< Some providers have numerous active PINs ............................. 12

< Some UPIN Data is Inconsistent ...................................... 12

RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................... 13

ENDNOTES ........................................................ 15

APPENDICES

A: Estimates and Confidence Intervals ..................................... 16

B: Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Header Record Data ....................... 17

C: Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data .................. 20

D: Agency Comments ................................................. 25

Accuracy of UPIN Data 5 OEI-07-98-00410 
INTRODUCTION 

PURPOSE 

To determine whether the information associated with Unique Physician Identification 

Numbers is complete and accurate. 

BACKGROUND 

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, §9201(g)1 requires 

physicians and other health care professionals to obtain a Unique Physician Identification 

Number (UPIN). In 1989, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) established 

the UPIN Registry, formerly known as the Physician Registry and assigned unique 

numbers to Medicare physicians. In 1994, the UPIN Registry was expanded to include 

non-physician practitioners and medical group practices. 

The UPIN is used nationally to uniquely identify physicians, non-physician practitioners 

and medical group practices. These individuals or entities often furnish or bill for medical 

services from several locations or states which are in different carrier jurisdictions. This 

national number distinguishes the individual ordering, referring, or furnishing the service 

or supply from the entity requesting or receiving Medicare reimbursement for the service, 

such as corporations, clinics and partnerships. 

Roles of the Carriers 

Before a unique identifier is assigned, the individual or entity must complete an application 

for enrollment with the carrier and provide documentation of professional and 

governmental license requirements. The HCFA has standardized provider enrollment and 

update forms for all carriers, implementing the current version August 1, 1998. As part of 

enrollment, carriers validate that the entity or individual requesting the number meets 

license and other standards under Federal and State laws.2 

Upon completion of all mandated validation requirements, carriers initiate a computer 

inquiry to the Registry to request issuance of the UPIN for the applicant. The carrier 

assigns a Provider Identification Number (PIN) for each practice setting. While a 

physician or other health care practitioner may have more than one PIN (i.e., the provider 

has more than one billing location), only one UPIN is to be issued. The Registry maintains 

data on each PIN under the provider’s UPIN. 

Once the Registry assigns a UPIN and establishes a record, the carrier is responsible for 

assuring that the information on both their provider file and the Registry is updated when 

changes, additions, or deletions are needed. The carrier performs this process 

electronically or by mail. In addition, when the Registry receives information which 

creates a question about the status of the provider, such as suspected death, sanction, or 

fraud, it generates an electronic investigational alert by UPIN to the carrier for their 

research and investigation. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 6 OEI-07-98-00410 
The billing entity must list the service provider’s UPIN, the referring professional’s 

number (if any), and the entity’s PIN on the claim to receive Medicare reimbursement. 

However, carriers can initially process claims submitted by a new provider without a 

unique number through use of a temporary generic number, only until a permanent number 

is issued. 

As a program safeguard, carriers are instructed to deactivate the PIN if it remains inactive 

(no claims activity) for 12 consecutive months. Prior to October 1998, the Medicare 

Carriers Manual required deactivation of numbers after 3 years of no claims activity. The 

UPIN remains active as long as there is at least one active PIN for the provider. If there is 

no activity on any PIN for 12 months, the UPIN should also be deactivated. In order to 

reactivate a PIN or UPIN, the provider must complete a new General Enrollment form 

and the carrier must verify all enrollment information. 

Role of the Registry Contractor 

Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company establishes and maintains the Registry 

of physicians, health care practitioners, and group practices receiving Medicare Part B 

payments. During a 5 month implementation period from January - May 1989, the 

Registry processed 1.2 million records submitted by 57 Medicare carriers.3 

The Registry contractor maintains the UPIN Registry, also known as the Medicare 

Physician Identification and Eligibility Record (MPIER), a data base of physician and 

other health provider enrollment information. When a carrier electronically requests 

assignment of a UPIN, the Registry staff performs its own validation to determine if the 

enrollment request can be added to the Registry’s data file. 

If the Registry’s internal validation checks identify discrepancies which need further 

review, it generates electronic exception messages to the carrier. The carrier is to conduct 

the needed validations and either transmit the corrections or contact the Registry to 

resolve the problem. When all validation is completed and approved, the Registry 

transmits the UPIN to the carrier. 

Provider Number Issues Previously Identified by the OIG and HCFA 

The OIG completed three studies that examined problems applicable to Medicare provider 

numbers. These studies identified problems with 

< the accuracy and completeness of carrier provider files. 

< inadequate carrier controls to deactivate provider numbers for individuals who are not 

submitting claims or have lost the legal authority to practice. 

< poor communications with State licensing authorities.4 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 7 OEI-07-98-00410 
As a result, the HCFA contracted with Health Economics Research, Inc. to evaluate the 

quality of the Registry data.5 Its review identified the following problems: 

< as many as 11,600 providers may potentially have more than one number; 

< nearly 14 percent of the practice settings are no longer being used by the physicians; 

< the data base contains missing, erroneous, or infeasible entries for several data 

elements (i.e., State license number, date of birth, school code and graduation year); 

and 

< Railroad Retirement Board carriers account for a disproportionately large share of the 

problems identified. 

Implementation Plan for the National Standard Health Care Provider Identifier 

In July 1993, HCFA undertook an initiative to establish a standardized provider identifier, 

the National Provider Identifier (NPI), that will replace the UPINs and PINs. This 

identifier is to be an eight-position alpha numeric identifier. It will be used by all health 

entities that bill or initiate referrals for Medicare patients and ultimately will be used by all 

health care providers and insurers. As part of this process, HCFA is concurrently 

developing a National Provider System which will replace the data currently in the MPIER 

data file. The HCFA estimates that the National Provider Identifier will not be operational 

until the year 2000. 

Periodic Re-Validation of Providers 

The HCFA is preparing a Notice of Proposed Rule for public comment which will for the 

first time require Medicare carriers to periodically re-validate information for its providers. 

The proposed rule will require physicians and other health providers to update their 

information every 3 years. New providers will be validated annually for the first 

3 years and then will go to a 3 year re-validation cycle. However, HCFA currently has no 

plans to validate all provider information prior to implementation of the National Provider 

Identifier data base. 

METHODOLOGY 

We conducted an analysis of the Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Record 

(MPIER) data base as of October 1998 to measure data integrity and its validity for the 

universe and a random sample of UPINs. Further, we performed data comparisons to 

identify providers who may have more than one UPIN. The estimates are weighted in 

accordance with the sample design. Percentages are reported at the 95 percent confidence 

interval. The confidence intervals for these percentages are detailed in Appendix A. 

We also selected a random sample of 225 UPINs associated with 424 PINs from the 

MPIER file, stratified by the year of the last record update to permit analysis of data 

quality and reliability over time. The sample design is given in the table on the following 

page. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 8 OEI-07-98-00410 
SAMPLE DESIGN

Year UPIN Sample Universe Universe 

Strata 

Strata 1 

Strata 2 

Strata 3 

Strata Total: 

Data Integrity 

Last Updated 

1989 - 1994 

1995 - 1996 

1997 - 1998 

Size Size Percent 

75 54,284 6.6% 

75 284,109 34.6% 

75 482,110 58.8% 

225 820,503 100.0% 

The records in the MPIER file were sorted by UPIN, the date the record was created, and 

the date that the record was last updated. We performed frequency counts and analysis of 

other data fields to determine the number and percentage of data that was missing or 

contained improbable entries. We also performed analysis of variable entries to determine 

if the data appeared to be accurate and complete when compared to other information 

contained in the provider’s identification eligibility record. Further, we determined if the 

missing or questionable data was predominately from only certain data elements and 

issuing carriers. 

Data Validity 

To verify the sanction status of the sampled providers, we searched both the “OIG

Exclusions List” and the General Services Administration’s “List of Parties Excluded from

Federal Procurement and Non-Procurement Programs.” We also validated education,

professional license, and speciality through use of the Internet sites of State Professional

Boards and professional entities such as the American Medical Association and the

American Board of Medical Specialities. Where Internet information was unavailable or

incomplete, we contacted the applicable State professional board. In addition, we

contacted Medicare carriers to validate the sampled active UPINs and PINs, and to

identify providers who had not submitted claims within the previous 12 or 

36 consecutive months.

Multiple Numbers 

We matched the universe of UPINs to the associated Social Security Number on the 

Registry to identify providers who may have more than one UPIN. We also compared the 

provider’s name, date of birth and school information. 

We conducted this inspection in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections 

issued by the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 9 OEI-07-98-00410 
FINDINGS 

HCFA Has Taken Meaningful Actions to Enhance the 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 

The HCFA has implemented a number of significant enhancements to the provider 

enrollment process designed to improve program safeguards and increase the reliability of 

provider enrollment data. These changes include: additional controls on the assignment of 

provider numbers; new requirements to conduct extensive verification and authentication 

of license and professional qualifications of number applicants; shortened protocols to 

deactivate numbers after 12 months of claims inactivity; requirements for the provider to 

notify the carrier of any changes in their status which are updated by the carrier to the 

Registry, and mandatory inclusion of the Social Security Number. In addition, HCFA is 

proceeding with plans to require the periodic re-validation of provider information. 

As a result of HCFA actions, our analysis of the sample and the universe shows that 

virtually all Registry data fields are complete and contain feasible entries (Appendices B 

and C). We identified only 92 Social Security Numbers associated with more than one 

UPIN. This is a significant improvement when compared to the 1995 Health Economics 

Research study of UPIN Registry data which found that up to 11,600 providers may have 

multiple UPIN registrations. 

The Social Security Number, an important identifier, was inaccurate for 13 percent of the 

total UPINs. We recognize, however, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-

32) has only recently required providers to furnish this information to receive Medicare 

payment. 

Despite These Efforts, Problems Continue to Exist With 

Some Physician Registry Data 

Almost One-fourth of the Active UPINs Have No Recent Medicare Claims Activity 

In order to deactivate a UPIN, all of the associated PINs must be inactive. To confirm 

this, we compared the active UPINs to their claims activity for all practice settings. From 

our sample we estimate 23 percent of the active UPINs had no claims activity for the past 

year and 17 percent had no claims activity for the past 3 years. We also found that 

four of the active numbers in the sample belonged to providers who were deceased prior 

to 1996. While the carriers had deactivated the PINs, the corresponding UPINs remained 

active. 

A provider should have only one UPIN but can have several PINs, which are billing 

numbers assigned by Medicare contractors to designate separate practice locations or 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 10 OEI-07-98-00410 
accounting designations. Based on sample data, we estimate 39 percent of the associated 

active PINs have no Medicare claims activity within the past year. Twenty-seven percent 

have no activity for the past 3 years. 

Active UPINs and PINs with no recent claims activity represent a vulnerability to the 

Medicare program as unscrupulous individuals and organizations could use these numbers 

to submit fraudulent claims and supporting documents. Also, maintaining these numbers 

creates an unnecessary administrative cost for HCFA and its Medicare contractors. 

Performing provider mailings, researching undeliverable mail, maintaining provider files, 

and paying for computer time and storage are a few of the ongoing operational expenses 

that can be reduced by deactivating these unused numbers. 

The HCFA has notified Medicare carriers to deactivate practice settings’ PINs that have 

not had claims activity for 1 year and to update the UPIN Registry database either 

electronically or by mailed notification. Previously, carriers deactivated these settings 

after 3 years of claims inactivity. 

Coding Instructions and Formats Adversely Affect the Usefulness of Information 

From our sample we estimate 88 percent of entries for the State license number do not 

agree with licensure agencies’ information. Of these errors, 72 percent of the numbers 

differ in format, such as missing alpha characters, digits, dashes or spaces and 28 percent 

contain leading zeros in the first 3 positions which do not match the number on file with 

the State licensing entity. Our analysis of the universe also established that 46 percent of 

the numbers contain 3 or more leading zeros (Appendix C). This convention can create 

difficulties in performing computer matching and verification. 

The HCFA instructed Medicare carriers to enter the State license number in this 

12-position data field right justified and preceded with zeros.6 These instructions can alter 

the appearance of the number and therefore, greatly limit the usefulness of this information 

for automated data matching and verification. 

We estimate inaccurate professional school codes for 8 percent of the UPINs and 

5 percent of the PINs. Carriers currently use specific school coding for Medical Doctors, 

Doctors of Osteopathy, Chiropractors, and Optometrists for U.S. educated professionals. 

Categorical coding is used for all others, including professionals educated abroad.7 

We found additional problems with the sample data for physician primary board speciality 

and certification. The HCFA instructions for these data fields do not specify coding for 

those health professionals not certified by independent boards.5 Moreover, the coding 

options do not provide a choice of “none” or “non-applicable”. From our sample we 

estimate the primary provider speciality code, a required entry for the UPIN Registry, was 

83 percent accurate. However, the primary speciality board certification code, which is 

optional, was only 28 percent accurate. Problems detected included extensive use of the 

“U” (unknown) code and inconsistent coding for health professionals such as 

chiropractors, optometrists, nurses (excluding certified registered nurse anesthetists), 

psychologists, and physical therapists who are not certified by independent boards. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 11 OEI-07-98-00410 
For the universe, since we could not determine the accuracy of the primary provider 

speciality code, we analyzed the data to determine if it contained feasible values as defined 

by HCFA. We found 99.9 percent of the entries corresponded to legitimate speciality 

codes. However, the primary speciality board certification was coded as “unknown” for 

38 percent of the practices (Appendix C). 

We identified the same issues in the sample for the physician secondary board speciality 

and certification (optional data), but the problems were more pronounced. We estimate 

only 76 percent of the speciality codes and 4 percent of the secondary speciality board 

certification codes were accurate. Problems detected included inconsistent coding for 

board certification and use of all code choices, or no entry for the speciality “Carrier 

Wide,” which is synonymous for none or not applicable. This accounted for 92 percent of 

the errors in the secondary speciality board certification code. For the universe, the 

secondary provider speciality code was blank 94 percent of the time, and the 

corresponding secondary speciality board certification code contained an entry of 

“unknown” (70 percent) or did not contain data (25 percent). Refer to Appendix C. 

Some Providers Have Numerous Active PINS 

In analyzing the number of active practices for each UPIN, we found that many providers 

(68 percent of the total UPIN universe) had 3 or less practice settings and most 

(97.9 percent) had 10 or fewer settings. However, the 9,535 remaining PIN numbers had 

up to 57 separate billing numbers or practice settings for each UPIN: 

< 8,219 providers had 11 to 20; 

< 820 providers had 21 to 30; 

< 414 providers had 31 to 40; 

< 78 providers had 41 to 50; and 

< 4 providers had 51 to 57 practice settings. 

This small group of providers, in reflecting a high volume of practice locations, represent 

an enhanced risk for improper billing or utilization by the provider, employees, a third 

party, or even carrier personnel. 

Some UPIN Data is Inconsistent 

Several UPIN data fields for a provider’s individual practice settings contain data that 

apply to all of their practice locations. Examples include: State license number; 

Professional School Code; Primary and Secondary Speciality Codes; and Primary and 

Secondary Speciality Board Certification Codes. We found carriers are updating only 

some of the provider-specific practice information on the UPIN record, resulting in 

inconsistencies for different practice locations. Maintaining such information on each 

provider’s practice setting greatly increases the opportunity for errors, omissions, and 

discrepancies. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 12 OEI-07-98-00410 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

Accurate enrollment and practice information for Medicare providers is vital to ensure that 

only qualified health care professionals furnish treatment to Medicare beneficiaries. The 

HCFA has stated its intent to use the data contained in the UPIN Registry as source 

information for the NPI data base. Therefore, it is important that the UPIN and PIN data 

be both accurate and specific. While HCFA has initiated important improvements in the 

enrollment and updating of health care providers which should greatly improve the 

accuracy and reliability of the data records, a number of problems continue to exist. 

Accordingly, we recommend that HCFA implement the following actions to improve the 

overall accuracy and reliability of this data. 

Deactivate UPINs and PINs for Inactive Providers and 

Practice Locations 

The HCFA should ensure that carriers deactivate PINs and UPINs in accordance with its 

instructions when no claims have been submitted to them for the preceding 12 months. 

This should be an active review element of the periodic Carrier Performance Evaluation 

(CPE) review. To reduce program vulnerabilities and minimize administrative costs, 

HCFA could consider implementing a shorter time frame (i.e., 2 consecutive quarters). 

Improve Data Entry Instructions for Specific Data Fields 

We recommend the Medicare Carriers Manual Part 4, § 1015, Exhibit 2, be revised to 

specify that the State license number be entered exactly as shown on State records or 

licenses. The instructions should specify that the number be left justified, and that 

characters, numbers, and spaces are acceptable. 

In addition, HCFA should revise instructions for coding provider specialities and 

certifications, to provide for the possibilities of “none” under provider speciality and “not 

applicable” under board certification. This should significantly reduce coding errors by 

carrier personnel for health providers who are not board certified or for professions that 

are not independently certified. 

Establish a Priority to Review Individuals with Numerous 

PINs 

As part of its re-validation of providers, HCFA should require carriers to establish a 

priority for the review of individuals with numerous (i.e., more than 10) PIN numbers. 

Such reviews should address the utilization of these numbers and their legitimacy. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 13 OEI-07-98-00410 
Reconcile Identical Fields in UPIN and PIN Records Before 

Implementing NPI 

The HCFA should ensure that its contractors update applicable changes to all related 

UPIN and PIN records. In planning for the National Provider Identifier and National 

Provider System, HCFA could avoid inconsistent data between these records by using a 

single file for practitioner-specific data, or linking identical fields in different records to 

flag conflicting entries. 

AGENCY COMMENTS 

The HCFA concurs with the report and has undertaken or is planning meaningful steps to 

implement the recommendations. Appendix D contains the complete text of these 

comments. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 14 OEI-07-98-00410 
ENDNOTES 

1. Public Law (P.L. 99-272), signed into law April 7, 1986. 

2. “Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub. 14-4) § 1030.5D. As part of the 

enrollment process, carriers must: 

< establish that the facility, entity, or individual is properly licensed, certified, and 

registered under State law; 

< establish evidence of qualifying course work from educational institution(s) from 

which the applicant received his medical, professional, or related training including 

Diplomas or degrees; 

< authenticate each board certification listed by the applicant; 

< establish that the facility, entity, or individual is not excluded from the Medicare and 

Medicaid programs; 

< verify that the applicant is not on the General Services Administration’s “List of 

Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs (List of 

Parties)”; and, 

< determine whether the individual or entity has or previously had a Medicare Provider 

Identification Number (PIN). 

3. Health Economics Research Inc., “Unique Physician Identification Number (UPIN) Validation 

Studies: Carrier Analysis,” August 23, 1994, p 21. 

4. Previous Office of Inspector General Reports include 

“Carrier Maintenance of Medicare Provider Numbers,” OEI-06-89-00870, June 1991. 

“Carrier Assignment of Medicare Provider Numbers,” OEI-06-89-00871, April 1992. 

“Carriers Still Need to Purge Unused Provider Numbers,” OEI-01-94-00231, 

December 1995. 

5. Health Economics Research, Inc. issued the following “Unique Physician Identification 

Number (UPIN) Validation Studies” 

“Carrier Edits,” May 27, 1994. 

“Carrier Analysis,” August 23, 1994. 

“Documentation for the UPIN Integrity and Multiple-UPIN Files,” October 5, 1994. 

“Final Report,” February 7, 1995. 

“Understanding Properties of the UPIN for Claims-Based Research,” February 11, 1997. 

6. “Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub. 14 - 4) §1015, Exhibit 2. 

7. Ibid, Exhibits 3A - 3D. Specific school code listing for M.D.’s, D.O.’s, D.P.M.’s, D.C.’s and 

O.D.’s. The following categorical codes are used for other health professionals: 

10000 - D.D.M.’s; 

20000 - D.D.S.’s 

60000 - Nurses; 

70000 - other U.S. educated health professionals; and 

99999 - professionals educated abroad. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 15 OEI-07-98-00410 
APPENDIX A 

Estimates and Confidence Intervals

The following table summarizes the estimates at the 95 percent confidence intervals for key data 

presented in this report. The estimates refer to projected error rates for specified variables in the 

Universe of the UPIN Registry. 

Data Variable 

No Claims Filed in the Last 12 Months (UPIN) 

No Claims Filed in the Last 36 Months (UPIN) 

No Claims Filed in the Last 12 Months (PIN) 

No Claims Filed in the Last 36 Months (PIN) 

State License Number (UPIN - overall) 

Weighted 95% 

Error Confidence 

Percentage Interval 

23% +/- 6.5% 

17% +/- 5.7% 

39% +/- 6.7% 

27% +/- 5.9% 

88% +/- 5.2% 

State License Number (UPIN - format problem)1 72% +/-7.1% 

State License Number (UPIN - leading zero problem)1 28% +/- 7.1% 

Professional School Codes (UPIN)

Professional School Codes (PIN)

Primary Board Speciality Code (UPIN)

Primary Board Certification Code (UPIN)

Secondary Board Speciality Code (UPIN)

Secondary Board Certification Code (UPIN)

8% +-/ 4% 

5% +/- 2.8% 

17% +/-6.1% 

72% +/-6.9% 

24% +/-6.8% 

96% +/-3.2% 

1 These are the proportionate percentages that contribute to the overall estimated 88 percent 

error rate for the State License number. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 16 OEI-07-98-00410 
APPENDIX B 

Medicare Physician Identification

and Eligibility Record

Analysis of the Universe

UPIN Header Record Data

Accuracy of UPIN Data 17 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Record Data Elements 

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Header Record Data 

Field Identifier / Analytical Criteria Total1 Universe 

Percent of 

Date of Birth 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1918 to 1973, month and day are valid.2 677,996 98.6% 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1901 to 1917, or 1899, month and day 

are valid.2 7,616 1.1% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 1,171 0.2% 

Missing Entry - Year code is all 9's, 0's or blanks. 982 0.1% 

Date of Death 

Alive - Date code is 0's or blanks. 686,823 99.9% 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1997 or 1998, month and day are valid. 476 0.1% 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1901 to 1996, month and day are valid. 465 0.1% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 1 * 

School Code 

Specific School Code Entry - Contains one of the school codes listed in 

the Medicare Carriers Manual.3 501,177 72.9% 

Foreign School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 99999. 121,294 17.6% 

Chiropractic School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 50000. 33,066 4.8% 

DDS Categorical School Code - Entry is equal to code 20000. 20,134 2.9% 

DDM Categorical School Code - Entry is equal to code 10000. 4,295 0.6% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 3,812 0.6% 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks, all 0's or 00001. 2,964 0.4% 

Retired School Code 947 0.1% 

Other Health Professions Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 

70000. 68 * 

Nursing School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 60000. 8 * 

Universe total for each header record field is 687,765. 1 

Span of years is comparable to interval used in the Health Economics Research Studies. 2 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub 14-4) § 1015, Exhibits 3A - 3D. 3 

* Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 18 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Record Data Elements 

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Header Record Data 

Field Identifier / Analytical Criteria Total1 Universe 

Percent of 

Graduation Year 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1945 to 1998.4 670,994 97.6% 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1935 to 1944.4 8,166 1.2% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 5,858 0.9% 

Missing Entry - Year code is all 9's, 0's or blanks. 2,747 0.4% 

Sanction Code 

Not Sanctioned - Code is all blanks. 686,247 99.8% 

Feasible Entry - Code is A to R.5 1,459 0.2% 

Unknown - Individual is sanctioned but type of sanction action is code “U” 

for unknown. 57 * 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 2 * 

Sanction Date 

Not Sanctioned - Year code is all blanks or 0's. 685,573 99.7% 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1966 to 1998, and month is valid. 2,059 0.3% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 133 * 

Sanction Length 

Not Sanctioned - Code is all blanks or 0's. 685,616 99.7% 

Feasible Entry - Code for years of sanction is between 1 to 15, 20, 25, 30, 

35, 40, 45, 50, 99. 2,101 0.3% 

Questionable Entry - Code for years of sanction is 16 to 19, 21 to 24, 26 

to 29, 31 to 34, 36 to 39, 41 to 44, 46 to 49, 51 to 98. 48 * 

Social Security Number 

Feasible Entry 594,318 86.7% 

Missing Entry 1 * 

Zero Entry - Code is all 0's or 9's 93,446 13.3% 

Span of years is comparable to interval used in the Health Economics Research Studies. 4 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub. 14 - 4) §1015, Exhibit 4. 5 

* Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 19 OEI-07-98-00410 
APPENDIX C 

Medicare Physician Identification and 

Eligibility Record Data Elements

Analysis of the Universe

UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data

Accuracy of UPIN Data 20 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Data Elements

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data 

Field Identifier / Flag Description Total 

Universe 1 Percent Universe 

Date of Birth 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1918 to 1973, month and day are valid.2 1,806,547 98.9% 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1901 to 1917, or 1899, month and day 

are valid.2 12,198 0.7% 

Missing Entry - Year code is all 9's, 0's or blanks. 4,891 0.3% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 2,443 0.1% 

Date of Death 

Alive - Date code is 0's or blanks. 1,826,062 100.0% 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1997 or 1998, month and day are valid. 11 * 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1901 to 1996, month and day are valid. 6 * 

School Code 

Specific School Code Entry - Contains one of the school codes listed in 

the Medicare Carriers Manual.3 1,366,674 74.8% 

Foreign School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 99999. 367,231 20.1% 

Chiropractic School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 50000. 46,045 2.5% 

DDS Categorical School Code - Entry is equal to code 20000. 25,011 1.4% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 7,555 0.4% 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks, all 0's or 00001. 6,056 0.3% 

DDM Categorical School Code - Entry is equal to code 10000. 5,321 0.3% 

Retired School Code 2,088 0.1% 

Other Health Professions Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 

70000. 88 * 

Nursing School Categorical Code - Entry is equal to code 60000. 10 * 

Universe total for each practice field is 1,826,079. 1 

Span of years is comparable to interval used in the Health Economics Research Studies. 2 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub 14-4) § 1015, Exhibits 3A - 3D. 3 

* Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 21 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Data Elements

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data 

Field Identifier / Flag Description Total 

Universe 1 Percent Universe 

Graduation Year 

Feasible Entry - Year code is 1945 to 1998.4 1,798,111 98.5% 

Questionable Entry - Year code is 1935 to 1944.4 13,352 0.7% 

Missing Entry - Year code is all 9's, 0's or blanks. 8,261 0.5% 

Erroneous Entry -Any code other than listed above. 6,355 0.3% 

Physician Status Code (Type of Provider Listed in Carriers Manual) 

Feasible Entry - Code is 1, 2, or 3.5 1,825,975 100.0% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 104 * 

Credential Code 

Feasible Entry - Code is MD, DO, CH DPM, DDS, DDM, OD, CSW, PT, 

CP, AA, NP, OT, CNA, PSY, PA, CNM., CNS, AU.6 1,825,976 100.0% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 103 * 

State License Number 

Lead Zeros - Code for the first 3 digits of the license number are 0's. 837,736 45.9% 

Number Justification - Entry is not right justified. 764,008 41.8% 

Feasible Entry - It contains an alpha numeric entry not otherwise listed. 208,606 11.4% 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks. 12,510 0.7% 

Zero Entry - Code is all 0's. 3,219 0.2% 

License State Code 

Feasible Entry - Code is a standard postal state abbreviation (including 

U.S. properties). 1,826,073 100.0% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 6 * 

Span of years is comparable to interval used in the Health Economics Research Studies. 4 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub 14-4) § 1015, Exhibit 2, (2). 5 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional Relations,” (Pub 14-4) § 1015, Exhibit 2, (21). 6 

* Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 22 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Data Elements

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data 

Field Identifier / Flag Description Total 

Universe 1 Percent Universe 

Primary Speciality Code 

Feasible Entry - Contains one of the valid speciality codes listed in the 

HCFA “Data Users Reference Guide”.7 1,824,864 99.9% 

Unknown Entry -Code is 99. 618 * 

Retired Entry - Code is retired - osteopathic speciality code. 321 * 

Revised Entry - Code is 49 (formerly for a miscellaneous speciality, 

redesignated as an Ambulatory Surgical Center). 260 * 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 16 * 

Primary Speciality Board Certification Code 

Feasible Entry - Code is ”Y”or “N”. 1,132,899 62.0% 

Unknown Entry - Code is “U”. 693,180 38.0% 

Secondary Speciality Code 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks. 1,712,541 93.8% 

Feasible Entry -Contains one of the valid speciality codes listed in the 

HCFA “Data Users Reference Guide”.7 113,394 6.2% 

Unknown Entry - Code is 99. 88 * 

Retired Entry -Code is retired - osteopathic speciality code. 49 * 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 6 * 

Revised Entry -Code is 49 (formerly for a miscellaneous speciality, 

redesignated as an Ambulatory Surgical Center). 1 * 

Secondary Speciality Board Certification Code 

Unknown Entry - Code is “U”. 1,271,103 69.6% 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks. 450,819 24.7% 

Feasible Entry - Code is ”Y”or “N”. 104,157 5.7% 

UPIN Status Code - Deactivated, Resident, Intern, Practice (DRIP) 

Feasible Entry - Code is R, I, or P (Active Practice). 1,826,039 100.0% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 40 * 

Health Care Financing Administration, “Data Users Reference Guide,” March 1997, Appendix 7 

of Common Codes, pp 75 - 77. 

*Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 23 OEI-07-98-00410 
Medicare Physician Identification and Eligibility Data Elements

Analysis of the Universe - UPIN Practice Setting (PIN) Data 

Field Identifier / Flag Description Total 

Universe 1 Percent Universe 

Participation Status Code 

Feasible Entry - Code is “Y” or “N”. 1,826,076 100.0% 

Missing Entry - Code is all blanks. 2 * 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 1 * 

Group Practice Indicator 

Feasible Entry - Code is 1 (group) or 4 (solo) practice. 1,824,555 99.9% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 1,521 0.1% 

Missing Entry - Code is all 0's or blanks. 3 * 

Sanction Code 

Not Sanctioned - Code is all blanks. 1,824,038 99.9% 

Feasible Entry - Code is A to R.8 1,948 0.1% 

Unknown - Code is U, individual is sanctioned but type of sanction action 

is unknown. 93 * 

Sanction Date 

Not Sanctioned - Date code is all blanks. 1,824,430 99.9% 

Feasible Entry - Year code is between 1966 to 1998, and month is valid. 1,531 0.1% 

Erroneous Entry - Any code other than listed above. 118 * 

Sanction Length 

Not Sanctioned - Code is blank or 0. 1,824,442 99.9% 

Feasible Entry - Code for years of sanction is between 1 to 15, 20, 25, 30, 

35, 40, 45, 50, 99. 1,608 0.1% 

Questionable Entry - Code for years of sanction is between 16 to 19, 21 to 

24, 26 to 29, 31 to 34, 36 to 39, 41 to 44, 46 to 49, 51 to 98. 29 * 

Social Security Number 

Feasible Entry 1,319,135 72.2% 

Missing Entry 1 * 

Zero Entry - Code is all 0's or 9's 506,943 27.8% 

“Medicare Carriers Manual, Professional relations,” (Pub. 14 - 4) §1015, Exhibit 4. 8 

* Rounds to zero percent. 

Accuracy of UPIN Data 24 OEI-07-98-00410 
APPENDIX D 

Agency Comments

Accuracy of UPIN Data 25 OEI-07-98-00410