How many NPIs do health care providers need?
An individual is eligible for a single NPI. An Individual cannot have subparts and cannot designate subparts. In terms of NPI assignment, an Individual is an Entity Type 1 (Individual). A sole proprietor/sole proprietorship is eligible for a single NPI. A sole proprietor/sole proprietorship cannot have subparts and cannot designate subparts. In terms of NPI assignment, a sole proprietor/sole proprietorship is an Entity Type 1 (Individual). Organizations must also apply for a single NPI. In terms of NPI assignment, Organization health care providers who are covered entities under HIPAA must apply for NPIs as Entity Type 2 (Organization). Organization health care providers are corporations or partnerships or other types of businesses that are considered separate from an individual by the state in which they exist. Subparts of such Organization health care providers who apply for NPIs are also Entity Type 2 (Organization).