An NPI number, short for National Provider Identifier, is a unique 10-digit number assigned to all healthcare providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). For example, all physicians, nurses, and dentists have their own NPI numbers.
NPI numbers are used to identify healthcare providers in a variety of settings. They are used on insurance claims, Medicare cards, and other healthcare documents. NPI numbers help to ensure that healthcare providers are properly identified and paid for their services.