About NPI
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) Administrative Simplification Standard. The NPI is a unique identification number for
covered health care providers. Covered health care providers and all health plans and health
care clearinghouses must use the NPIs in the administrative and financial transactions adopted under
HIPAA. The NPI is a 10-position, intelligence-free numeric identifier (10-digit number). This means that
the numbers do not carry other information about healthcare providers, such as the state in which they live
or their medical specialty. The NPI must be used in lieu of legacy provider identifiers in the HIPAA standards
transactions. We use NPPES API to perform NPI Lookup. The NPI search assists to search the database (npidb)
for the NPIs registered with the NPPES.
FAQ
How does NPI search work?
We use the NPPES API to help in NPI search by looking up the NPI Database for the NPIs being searched.
What does an NPI do?
It does:
- Replace all other provider identifiers previously used by health care providers (for example, UPIN, Medicare/Medicaid numbers, etc.).
- Establish a national standard and unique identifier for all health care providers using NPI Lookup.
- Simplify health care system administration.
- Make it easy to send health care information electronically.
What does an NPI not do?
It doesn’t:
- Replace the tax identification number (TIN), which is an IRS requirement.
- Convey information about the provider (for example, provider type, service location, etc.).
- Guarantee payment by health plans .
- Enroll providers in health plans.
Who should apply for NPI?
Individual health care providers, such as physicians, dentists and pharmacists
Organizational health care providers, such as hospitals, pharmacies, group practices, laboratories, ambulatory care facilities and nursing homes
Where can I update my NPI information?
Go to the NPI website to review or update your NPI record. The FINDNPI and NPI are not the same organization.