Beginning October 24, 2021, you will need to dial the entire 10-digit phone number including area code for all local calls in tri-state region. This is a result of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) adoption of 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. In order for 988 to work in certain area codes, including Greater Cincinnati (513 area code) and Northern Kentucky (859 area code), mandatory 10-digit local dialing will be implemented later this month. 

 

A 10-digit dialed telephone call requires entering both the three-digit area code and the seven-digit telephone number to complete the call, even if the area code is the same area code as your own. When an area code transitions to 10-digit dialing, you will no longer be able to dial seven digits to make a local call. Transitioning to 10-digit dialing will not affect your current telephone number. Your phone number, including your area code, will not change. 

 

There are no changes required or being made on the TriHealth enterprise phone system. Internal calling at TriHealth with a 5-digit number such as 64863 works the same as before. Also, long distance calling with a 1 in front of area code does not change and works the same as before. 

 

All services, fax machines with stored numbers, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a seven-digit number will need to be reprogrammed for the new ten-digit dialing procedure. Please be sure to check any system you manage of verify this change with vendors who may support your system. Examples include but are not limited to:

For complete information on 10-digit dialing, please visit the FCC website. You can also check the North American Numbering Plan Administrator site for a list of states and area codes affected by this change.