Updated research request forms and data security approval requirement effective 4/24/23
This variable is contained in the following files:
SAS Name
HCID
This variable uniquely identifies prescribers found in the proprietary HCIdea™ Prescriber Database.
HCIdea has prescriber information from a variety of data sources, including the NPPES directory (the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, which assigns a unique NPI to each provider), the Drug Enforcement Administration (through data files known as the Controlled Substances Act Registrants), and SureScripts (a nationwide eprescribing network). Using these input files, it is generally possible to identify a unique provider using an NPI, DEA number, and/or UPIN number.
Source: HCIdea™ Prescriber Database
Null, or any positive or negative number
This variable was new in 2014; beginning with 2014 Part D Prescriber Characteristics File, the NPI is used in place of the CCW_PRSCRBR_ID.
The HCID was historically used to assign the CCW-assigned prescriber identifier (CCW_PRSCRBR_ID). CCW purchased the HCIdea™ Prescriber Database to enable us to roll-up various IDs in the Part D Prescription Drug Event (PDE) file to a unique prescriber. Each year, CCW used HCIdea™ and cross-walked all of the identifiers in the PDE for a unique prescriber (which corresponded to a HCID) and assigned a CCW_PRSCRBR_ID to represent an individual medical practitioner. This allowed PDE records that had the same prescriber but used a combination of different identifiers to be assigned the same identifier in the CCW file. We assigned CCW_PRSCRBR_IDs on an annual basis for the universe of prescribers found in the annual PDE data.
For current years (i.e., after May 2013), a national provider identifier (NPI) will typically be associated with a single HCID.
Source: HCIdea™ Prescriber Database