What is the NPI?
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10 digit identification number assigned to health care providers for use in transmitting standard health care transactions electronically (e.g., electronic claims and eligibility verification) through the National Provider System (NPS). This identifier, which fulfills a requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), was required by health plans and health care clearinghouses in HIPAA standard electronic transactions as of May 23, 2008. NPIs replace other provider identifiers previously used by health care providers (and assigned by payers). NPIs did not replace tax identification number (TINs) used for tax reporting on HIPAA electronic transactions.
