What is the National Provider Identifier (NPI)?

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to healthcare providers in the United States for the purpose of identifying them in standard healthcare transactions, particularly those that comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This identifier is used nationally across various healthcare settings to streamline the billing and payment process, ensuring that claims can be processed efficiently and accurately.

The NPI is crucial for various stakeholders in healthcare, such as insurance payers, providers, and healthcare clearinghouses, as it helps to ensure that providers are properly recognized across different systems and transactions. The use of a standardized identifier like the NPI reduces confusion and enhances the efficiency of electronic billing and data exchange.

Other options refer to various types of identification or coding systems that do not pertain specifically to the standardized identification of healthcare providers for billing and transaction purposes as defined by HIPAA. Thus, the understanding and correct application of the NPI is essential for professionals in medical coding and billing roles.