An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique 10-digit number assigned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to healthcare providers in the United States. It is used to identify healthcare providers in all electronic transactions related to healthcare claims and other administrative processes.
Obtaining an NPI number is essential for healthcare providers who want to submit claims to Medicare, Medicaid, or any other health insurance payer. It is also required for providers who want to participate in electronic health information exchange.