How to Obtain a National Provider Identification

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a one-of-a-kind, 10-digit identification number for covered health-care providers. NPIs do not include other information about health-care providers, such as the state in which they live or their medical specialty.



Health-care providers covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIIPA) must use NPIs in the administrative and financial transactions adopted under HIPAA. Similarly, all health plans and health-care clearinghouses must use NPIs. They must be used in lieu of legacy provider identifiers in HIPAA standards transactions.

Instructions

• 1

  Access the NPI Application/Update Form (CMS-10114). You can obtain a hard copy of the application/form in several ways. You may call 800-465-3203 (TTY 800-692-2326) or send an email request to [email protected]. You also may download the application/form from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website; the specific web page is linked in the Resources section. Another way is to obtain a hard copy is to send a written request to:

  NPI Enumerator

  P.O. Box 6059

  Fargo, ND 58108-6059

  To complete the application/form online, go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' web page linked in Resources.

• 2

  Gather information needed to complete the application/form.

  The following information is required if you apply as an individual provider: provider name, Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number if you are not eligible for an SSN, provider date of birth, country of birth, state of birth (if country of birth is the United States), provider gender, mailing address, practice location's address and phone number, taxonomy (provider type), state license information, contact person's name, contact person's phone number and email address.

  The following information is required for organizations applying: organization name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), name of authorized official for the organization, phone number of authorized official for the organization, organization's mailing address, practice location's address and phone number, taxonomy, contact person's name, contact person's phone number and email address.

• 3

  Complete the application/ form. Provide all of the requested information.

• 4

  Submit the application/form. If you completed the application/form online, follow the instructions to finish the process. If you completed a hard copy of the application/form, send it to:

  NPI Enumerator

  P.O. Box 6059

  Fargo, ND 58108-6059