What is an NPI, and why should you have one?
It's yours for lifeAn NPI is a 10-digit number from CMS, the federal agency behind Medicare, that says you are a licensed provider. It belongs to you, not to any employer. You get it once, keep it forever, and never renew it or pay for it.
Do I have to have one?Not today, if you only take cash and never bill insurance. But the first time you want to work with an insurance company, join a group practice, or take a job that credentials its practitioners, the very first thing they ask for is your NPI. Having it ready means you can say yes on the spot.
What it unlocksInsurance, referrals and payments. That means insurance panels, Medicaid, Medicare and VA Community Care. Employers and platforms like Headway, Alma and Zeel. Superbills your cash clients can send to their own insurer. Your CAQH profile, hospital privileges, and for prescribers, e-prescribing and DEA registration. All of it starts with this one number.
Why get it nowCredentialing takes weeks and cannot even start without an NPI. Getting yours here is free and the number arrives usually within 10 minutes, so when the right opportunity shows up, you are already ready.
What it is notNot a license, not a certification, and it doesn't commit you to anything. You can also apply on your own at nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
Get your NPI number free, usually within 10 minutes.
An NPI is the 10-digit number you need before insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA or a platform like Headway or Zeel can pay you. CMS, the federal agency behind Medicare, issues it once and it is yours for life.
How it works
You answer the questions CMS asks
Your license, how to reach you, your addresses and the identity details CMS requires. About 5 minutes, and no government account to set up.
We check it and file it
Your license and address are checked for accuracy with human oversight, then we file with CMS for you.
Your NPI arrives by email and text
Usually within 10 minutes of filing, with all the documentation and the steps to set up your own CMS login.
Questions
Is this really free? Who runs it?
Yes. CMS charges nothing for an NPI, and we charge nothing to file it. No card, no account, nothing to pay later. SimpleNPI is a free service for individual practitioners. If you are a platform, reach out to us for volume support and pricing. SimpleNPI is a private service, not part of the government and not affiliated with CMS, HHS or NPPES. You can also apply on your own at nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
Do I need an NPI if I only take cash?
Not today. But the first time you bill insurance, join a group practice or sign up with a platform, it is the first thing they ask for. It is not a license and does not commit you to anything, so having it ready means you can say yes on the spot.
How can you file for me?
CMS lets a provider authorize someone to file the application on their behalf. You sign that authorization on the last screen. It covers this one application and its result, and we keep it on file.
What happens to my information?
It is used to file your application and nothing else. It is encrypted in transit and at rest, shared only with CMS, and never sold. Your Social Security number is used once to file and deleted after your NPI is issued.
Which specialty code do you file?
The standard code for the license type you choose, for example Massage Therapist or Nurse Practitioner. If you want a narrower specialty on your record, you can add it any time in your own CMS login.
What if it takes longer than 10 minutes?
Applications filed after midnight Eastern are issued by CMS around 6 am Eastern. If CMS pauses an application to double-check a name, we work it out with them and keep you posted by email and text until your number is issued.
Is the NPI mine?
Yes, for life. It is not tied to SimpleNPI, an employer or your current license, and it never needs renewing. After it is issued we email you the steps to set up your own CMS login, so you can update your record without us. Platforms sometimes call this an individual or Type 1 NPI.
Free NPI lookup.
Find any provider's NPI in seconds. Search by name, business name or NPI number, see whether it is active and which specialty is on file. No account needed.
Free, no account needed. Results come straight from the public CMS NPI registry (NPPES), which CMS updates every day. An NPI issued today shows up by tomorrow.
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