I'm so sorry for you. By now your mom has likely passed, or she soon will. People can go a long time without food, but lack of hydration will take her first. If she's still alive, please call you local hospice. They can tell you that she is in a state where she is not suffering from lack of food or hydration. She is beyond that.
Applying for an NPI is free of cost and relatively easy. To apply through a secure, Web-based process, visit the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System website. Those with valid applications should receive their NPI via email within one to five business days.
NPs are expected to submit claims to the Part B carrier under their own NPI number. Previously when NPs rendered services they entered their carrier assigned PIN number on the CMS 1500 billing form. Now that identifier must be an NPI. NPs may assign their numbers to a group practice for purposes of billing.