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updatedAt: 2025-09-18T12:32:06.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://ribbon.readme.io/llms.txt
---

# NPI (National Provider Identifier)

### What is an NPI?

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique, 10-digit identification number assigned to healthcare providers and entities in the United States. The NPI is a standard established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Its primary purpose is to simplify healthcare administrative processes and improve efficiency by providing a standardized way to identify healthcare providers.

NPIs apply to both providers and healthcare entities. There are a few important differences to note between the two:

* **Type 1 NPIs** are unique and permanent. Every provider (including nurses and counselors) has an NPI and their NPI is never reassigned, even if they stop practicing or are deceased. There is a 1:1 relationship between provider and NPI - in other words, every provider gets one NPI.
* **Type 2 NPIs** apply to healthcare entities, such as clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. Many locations in H1's `/locations`directory have a corresponding NPI. However, there is a lack of standardization in how these NPIs should be used. NPIs can apply to individual clinics (try searching for NPI 1487840252 in [NPPES](https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/searchNPPES)) or entire organizations.

### FAQs

* *Can I search for providers by NPI?*\
  -> Yes! Check out the [Find a Provider](https://ribbon.readme.io/v2.2/docs/find-a-specific-provider) Guide