National Provider Identifier (NPI)
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit identification number assigned to healthcare providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It serves as a standard identifier for covered healthcare providers, including physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals, as well as healthcare organizations like hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. The NPI is used in healthcare transactions required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
It helps ensure standardization and consistency in electronic healthcare transactions, including billing and claims processing. Each healthcare provider or organization has a single, unique NPI that remains unchanged throughout their career or existence. Healthcare providers and organizations must include their NPI on standard transactions such as electronic claims, prescriptions, and referrals. It simplifies the identification of healthcare providers across different health plans and systems, facilitating accurate and efficient communication and reimbursement processes in the healthcare industry.