Content Sources
NPI Data & Public Information
Contact information used to create a Dr. Leonardo® Provider-Page™ is sourced from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Contact information had been submitted by the provider, or someone acting on the provider’s behalf, to HHS and CMS when the provider applied to receive a National Provider Identifier (NPI) Number managed by the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES).
Because the NPI Registry functions as a universal national directory to prevent fraud and to streamline billing functions, the federal government legally mandated in 2007 that non-sensitive NPI Registry directory data — a provider’s name, business identity (name, business address, specialty, and license number) — to be publicly disclosable and accessible under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This includes practice addresses, phone numbers, and provider credentials.
While CMS manages the NPI database, the mandate applies universally to any “covered entity” under §45 CFR Part 162 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under these guidelines, any provider who transmits health information electronically — whether billing Medicare, Medicaid, or a completely private commercial insurer — is required by law to have and use their NPI information when billing for services.
If information about you on a Provider-Page is inaccurate or personal, you can visit the NPPES Website to correct your NPI record.
CMS.gov – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Data Dissemination Information
Dr. Leonardo may also source other public databases for information concerning state licensing, professional board certifications, publications, etc. All information on a Provider-Page is editable by the provider.
Dr. Leonardo’s Marketing
Dr. Leonardo’s practice of sourcing public records to create a Provider-Page to be ‘claimed’ is an Internet marketing strategy employed by many companies.
Google
Bing & LinkedIn (Microsoft)
WebMD
Healthgrades
Vitals
U.S. News & World Report
Doximity
NOTE: There is no cost to ‘claim’ a Provider-Page. Advertising is not present on Provider-Pages, and Dr. Leonardo does not charge to update or remove Provider-Page profiles. Dr. Leonardo does not sell email address information that it collects as part of claim registrations.
Your Provider-Page Information & Search
That’s the legal description of where and how Dr. Leonardo obtains information about healthcare providers.
Here’s the WHY :
The purpose to your Provider-Page is to augment your current placement on search results and capture the top positions for your name.
Provider-Pages don’t dilute positions on search. Rather, they provide an additional web vehicle to direct visitors to your office facilities and to your primary website. This is why the proper presentation of professional credentials and accurate contact information is so important at Dr. Leonardo.
If you prefer not to display an address or telephone number, these fields may be hidden and inaccuracies corrected simply by CLAIMING your Provider-Page.
Similar to a LinkedIn® profile, you are in control of what is presented on your Provider-Page.
Your Name is Your Brand™
Dr. Leonardo has gotten you started with a Provider-Page featuring basic information about you together with five health information topics related to your health specialty. You can update your basic info, indicate if you’re accepting new patients, change patient education topics, and even accept online appointments.
Your Provider-Page is FREE! It’s easy to make the most of it in less than five minutes.
