Why NPI Numbers are Required

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit identification number issued to healthcare providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The NPI will replace the unique provider identification number (UPIN) as the required identifier for Medicare services, and it will be used by other payers, including commercial healthcare insurers. The transition to the NPI was mandated as part of the Administrative Simplifications portion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA-covered entities, such as providers completing electronic transactions, healthcare clearinghouses, and large health plans, must use only the NPI to identify covered healthcare providers. Small health plans must also comply.

All individual HIPAA-covered healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, etc.) or organizations (hospitals, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, residential treatment centers, group practices, laboratories, pharmacies, medical equipment companies, etc.) must obtain an NPI for use in all HIPAA standard transactions, even if a billing agency prepares the transaction. Once assigned, a provider’s NPI is permanent and remains with the provider regardless of job or location changes.

Learn more about IQVIA’s NPI Verified™