CMS Certification Number (CCN)
Definition
A CMS Certification Number (CCN) is the six-character number CMS assigns to facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers, that are certified to take part in Medicare and Medicaid. It identifies the facility, not the clinicians who work there.
By the Candor Health team
Last reviewed
Also called Medicare provider number
How is a CCN different from an NPI?
A facility has both. The NPI is the HIPAA identifier used on claims. The CCN shows the facility's Medicare certification and is used in CMS quality and cost reporting.
Why does it matter in provider data?
Facility directories and network adequacy reports need to identify facilities reliably. The CCN links a facility to its certification type and to public CMS data about it.
Where does it come from?
CMS assigns it when a facility is certified. It was formerly called the Medicare provider number.