National Provider Identifier (NPI)
A National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit number that identifies a US healthcare provider in standard transactions such as claims. It is required under HIPAA and issued through CMS's NPPES system.
Who needs an NPI?
Individual clinicians (Type 1 NPI) and organizations such as hospitals and group practices (Type 2 NPI) that are HIPAA covered entities. The number stays with a provider for life, even if they move or change specialty.
What does an NPI tell you?
The NPI itself carries no information about the provider. The record linked to it in NPPES holds the name, practice address, taxonomy codes and other details the provider reported.
Why isn't the NPI record enough for a directory?
The record shows what the provider last reported, not where they practice today. It is the right key for matching records across sources, and a starting point rather than a finished directory.