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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 e-prescribing network). Using these input files, it is generally possible to identify a unique provider using an NPI, DEA number, and/or UPIN number.
Values: 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