The NPI is all numeric. It is 10 positions in length (9 plus a check-digit in the last position). It is easily accommodated in all standard transactions. It contains no embedded information about the provider that it identifies. At the current rate of provider growth, NPIs will be available for 200 years.
The principal characteristic of the identifier is that the number will contain no logic or identifying information relating to the location of the provider, type of provider, services able to provide, etc.
There are two types of NPIs
- Type 1 (Personal): one and only one
- Type 2 (Organizational): one or more than one
TYPE 1 - INDIVIDUALS
Each individual (human) provider will have one and only one NPI regardless of practice locations or settings. This number will be theirs for life.
TYPE 2 -ORGANIZATIONS
Organization provider entities will also obtain NPIs to use in the HIPAA transactions. In certain situations, it is possible for subparts of organization healthcare providers (such as hospitals) to be assigned NPIs. These subparts may need to be assigned NPIs in order to conduct standard transactions on their own behalf or to meet Federal regulatory requirements related to their participation in health plans such as Medicare. The Final Rule requires covered healthcare providers to determine if they have subparts that may need NPIs and, if so, to obtain NPIs for the subparts or require the subparts to obtain their own NPIs. The subpart concept does not pertain to healthcare providers who are individuals.