National Provider Identification Number Guidance
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a Federally-issued10-digit unique standard identification number that all Health Care Providers must use when submitting electronic claims effective May 23, 2008.
All health care providers, including audiologists and speech-language pathologists, must receive a National Provider Identifier from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
NPIs are available to all health-care providers and organizations. Getting an NPI is free — not having one can be costly.
A provider’s NPPES registry types cannot be modified once it is issued, and it remains with them regardless of their position or where they reside or work. HIPAA-covered providers and organizations include:
- Ambulance companies
- Chiropractors
- Clinical Social Workers
- Clinical Therapists
- Clinics
- Dentists
- Group Practices
- Health care clearinghouses
- Health care plans
- Home health care agencies (HHA’s)
- Hospitals
- Licensed Therapists
- Medical Equipment suppliers
- Medical Laboratories
- Nurses
- Nursing homes
- Opticians
- Optometrists
- Pharmacies
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapists
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Psychologists
- Residential Treatment Centers
How to Get an NPI number:-
Health Care Providers may apply for their NPI in one of the following ways:
- Complete the web-based application at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov Opens a new window. This process takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
- To request a paper application, call the Enumerator call centre at 1-800-465-3203 or TTY 1-800-692-2326.
- To request a paper application, send an email to customerservice@npienumerator.com.