National Provider Identifier (NPI)

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to healthcare providers in the United States. It serves as a standard identifier for doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals and organizations, helping streamline billing and electronic health record sharing. The NPI ensures that each provider can be easily recognized across healthcare systems, reducing errors and improving efficiency in healthcare transactions. It’s a lifetime number, meaning once assigned, it stays with the provider throughout their career, helping maintain consistent identification in medical and insurance records.