NPI: Get it. Share it. Use it.

The Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated that physicians and other health care providers obtain and begin using a National Provider Identifier (NPI) by May 23, 2007. This one number will replace all the assorted numbers assigned to you by Medicare, Medicaid and private health plans. The number will not change but will remain with you regardless of job or location changes. There is no charge for an NPI.

You can apply for an NPI online or obtain a printed application that you can submit via mail.

To apply online, go to:
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov

To obtain a printed NPI application:

Phone: 1-800-465-3203
TTY: 1-800-692-2326
E-mail: customerservice@npienumerator.com
Mail: NPI Enumerator, P.O. Box 6059, Fargo, ND 58108-6059

To read frequently asked questions about the NPI, go to:
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov.