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What is an NPI and do I have to obtain one?

April 26, 2017NPI obtain

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What is an NPI and do I have to obtain one?

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated that the Secretary of Health and Human Services adopt a standard unique health identifier for health care providers. On January 23, 2004, the Secretary published a Final Rule that adopted the National Provider Identifier (NPI) as this identifier. The enumerator system is a federal mandate of all health care providers including occupational therapists. OTs will need to apply for an NPI by either May 23, 2007, or May 23, 2008, depending upon the type and size of the health care covered entity. Once enumerated, a provider’s NPI will not change. The NPI remains with the provider regardless of job or location changes. There are a number of ways to obtain an NPI. Information can be found on the CMS website at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov. You can also visit the CMS FAQs section on the NPI .