--- title: "What Is an NPI Number? National Provider Identifier" description: "An NPI is the 10-digit HIPAA identifier for health care providers. Type 1 vs Type 2, the NPPES lookup, what it does not prove, and how Cuvo Health handles it." canonical: "https://cuvo.co/glossary/national-provider-identifier" last-updated: "Oct 26, 2026" --- **Definition:** The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is the 10-digit identifier HIPAA's administrative simplification rules adopt for health care providers. It identifies a provider in standard transactions and carries no information about the provider in the number itself. # What is a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number? Every clinician who prescribes on a telehealth program has an NPI, and anyone can look it up. The number identifies the provider; it does not prove the provider is licensed or credentialed. Cuvo Health verifies those facts separately, at the source, before a first visit. Published Oct 26, 2026. Facts reviewed Oct 26, 2026. The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is the standard unique health identifier for health care providers under HIPAA's administrative simplification rules: a 10-position numeric identifier with a check digit in the 10th position and no intelligence about the provider in the number (45 CFR 162.406). CMS assigns NPIs through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), and anyone can look one up in the public NPI Registry. Type 1 NPIs identify individual providers, such as physicians and nurse practitioners; Type 2 NPIs identify organizations. An NPI does not ensure a provider is licensed or credentialed, so Cuvo Health credentials every provider through primary-source verification before a first visit, separately from the NPI. **At a glance** - What it is: A 10-digit HIPAA identifier for health care providers (45 CFR 162.406) - Issued by: CMS, through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) - Types: Type 1 for individuals, one per person; Type 2 for organizations, which can hold several - Lookup: The public NPI Registry, searchable by number, name, type, taxonomy and state - What it does not do: Ensure licensure or credentialing, guarantee payment, or enroll a provider in a health plan - On Cuvo: Credentials verified at the source before a first visit; Surescripts e-prescribing on every plan **What the NPI rules in 45 CFR Part 162, Subpart D require (eCFR, checked October 26, 2026)** | Section | Applies to | What it requires | | --- | --- | --- | | **162.406** | Everyone using the NPI | Defines it: 10 numeric positions, a check digit in the 10th, no intelligence in the number | | **162.410(a)** | Covered health care providers | Obtain an NPI, use it in standard transactions, disclose it on request, report changes within 30 days | | **162.410(b)** | Covered provider organizations whose prescribers are not covered entities | Require each employed or contracted prescriber to obtain an NPI and disclose it on request for prescriptions written for the organization | | **162.412** | Health plans | Use the provider's NPI in standard transactions and never require a second one | | **162.414** | Health care clearinghouses | Use the provider's NPI in standard transactions | ## 01. Why does an NPI matter for a telehealth brand? Pharmacy claims and other standard transactions identify the prescriber by NPI. HIPAA requires a provider organization that is a covered entity, and that employs or contracts prescribers who are not, to have each prescriber obtain an NPI and disclose it when a prescription written for the organization needs it (45 CFR 162.410(b)), and Medicare Part D plans must reject a pharmacy claim that lacks the prescriber's active and valid NPI (42 CFR 423.120(c)(5)). For a brand, the NPI is also the quickest public identity check on any clinician a partner puts forward. ## 02. What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 NPI? CMS issues Type 1 NPIs to individual health care providers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners and sole proprietors, and an individual is eligible for only one. Type 2 NPIs go to health care organizations, such as hospitals and physician groups, and an organization can hold several. A provider who is incorporated can hold a Type 1 NPI personally and a Type 2 NPI for the corporation or LLC. ## 03. How is an NPI different from a license or DEA number? An NPI only identifies. A state license authorizes a clinician to practice in that state, and a DEA registration authorizes controlled-substance prescribing; neither is shown or proven by the NPI. CMS states plainly that having an NPI does not ensure a provider is licensed or credentialed, does not guarantee payment, and does not enroll a provider in a health plan. That is why credentialing verifies the license and registration with their issuers. ## 04. How do you look up an NPI number? In the NPPES NPI Registry at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov, which searches by NPI number, NPI type, taxonomy, provider or organization name, city and state. Since June 25, 2024, NPPES limits the number of Registry queries per hour, and bulk lookups must use the downloadable data file instead. A match shows whom the number belongs to and what the provider reported to NPPES; licensure and credentials are verified separately. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What is an NPI number?** A: It is the 10-digit National Provider Identifier that HIPAA requires covered health care providers to use in standard transactions, assigned by CMS through NPPES. On Cuvo, every provider is also credentialed through primary-source verification before a first visit, because an NPI alone proves no license. **Q: Type 1 vs Type 2 NPI: what is the difference?** A: A Type 1 NPI identifies an individual provider, who may hold only one; a Type 2 NPI identifies an organization, which may hold several. On Cuvo, care is delivered by individually licensed providers practicing through a physician-owned professional entity. **Q: Does an NPI number mean a provider is licensed?** A: No. CMS says an NPI does not ensure a provider is licensed or credentialed, so the license must be verified with the state board that issued it. Cuvo Health confirms each provider's licenses, board certification and DEA registration with their issuers before a first visit. **Q: How do I look up a provider's NPI?** A: Search the public NPPES NPI Registry at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov by name, NPI number, type, taxonomy or state. Cuvo Health verifies, at the source, the licenses and registrations an NPI record does not show. **Q: Does a telehealth brand need an NPI?** A: The NPI identifies health care providers, so the clinicians and the practice that deliver care are the ones that hold NPIs, not a brand's marketing company. On Cuvo, those providers practice through a physician-owned professional entity, and e-prescribing runs on the Surescripts network on every plan. **Related pages** - [Provider credentialing](/glossary/provider-credentialing): What gets verified beyond the NPI - [Primary source verification](/glossary/primary-source-verification): Confirming each credential with its issuer - [Pharmacy API and Surescripts e-prescribing](/blog/pharmacy-api-e-prescribing-surescripts): How a prescription reaches the pharmacy - [CAQH ProView](/glossary/caqh-proview): The credentialing profile health plans use - [The 50-state provider network](/provider-network): 300+ board-certified MDs, NPs and PAs - [Telehealth glossary](/glossary): Every term a telehealth founder meets Canonical page: https://cuvo.co/glossary/national-provider-identifier