Which entity issues the national provider identifier (NPI) in the healthcare system?

The national provider identifier (NPI) is issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This entity plays a critical role in the healthcare system by overseeing the implementation and management of the NPI system, which provides a unique identifier for healthcare providers. This identifier facilitates the administrative simplification required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enabling efficient data exchange and billing processes across various healthcare entities.

The NPI is essential for ensuring that providers can be accurately identified in transactions and records, which directly contributes to improved healthcare delivery and administrative efficiency. Providers must apply for an NPI through the CMS, which ensures a uniform and standardized approach to provider identification across the healthcare system.