If you have two or more providers in your practice with individual NPIs, you can apply for a group NPI for free in less than 20 minutes. A group NPI helps identify your practice as a unified entity and can assist with operational processes. In this article, we’ll break down the difference between individual and group NPI numbers and guide you through how to easily obtain a group NPI for your practice.
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a 10-digit unique identification number assigned to healthcare providers and organizations in the United States. It’s used to identify healthcare professionals and entities consistently across electronic systems, facilitating operational tasks like scheduling, lab ordering, and reporting.
An individual NPI number is assigned to a single healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, dietitian, or other advanced practitioner. This number is unique to the provider and stays with them throughout their career, regardless of changes in location, specialty, or employment.
An individual NPI number can be compared to a social security number, whereas a group NPI is comparable to an EIN or TIN used for businesses.
A group NPI (Type 2) is a National Provider Identifier assigned to healthcare organizations, such as group practices, clinics, or other healthcare entities. It represents the entire organization rather than individual providers working within it.
To be eligible for a group NPI, the organization must have at least two providers with individual NPIs. Group NPIs are primarily used for administrative purposes, such as organizing workflows, managing records, and identifying the organization consistently across electronic systems. This ensures that the group or entity is properly recognized in healthcare operations and communication.
•Who Can Get It? Organizations with multiple providers, practices that operate under a group or business name, or clinics that provide services collectively need a group NPI.
Organizational Operations: Use the group NPI for administrative tasks and managing workflows within your practice or organization.
Having both individual and group NPI numbers ensures clear identification of providers and practices across systems.
Obtaining a group NPI is a simple process. Follow these steps:
Even if your practice operates on a cash-only model, obtaining a group NPI number can provide benefits for your operations and future flexibility.
A group NPI allows your practice to be clearly identified as an entity, separate from the individual providers within it. This is especially useful when coordinating with third parties, such as labs, diagnostic services, or other healthcare organizations that may require a group NPI for administrative purposes.
For practices with multiple providers, a group NPI helps streamline administrative processes like scheduling, patient recordkeeping, and tracking workflows under the organization’s name. This ensures consistency in your practice management.
Administrative staff who perform tasks on behalf of the practice may not have individual NPIs. A group NPI enables them to manage operational functions—such as coordinating appointments or handling communications—without requiring an individual provider’s NPI for non-clinical tasks.
Having a group NPI lends professionalism to your practice by establishing it as a recognized healthcare entity. This can be valuable for building trust with patients, vendors, and collaborators.
Having a group NPI ensures you are prepared for potential growth or changes. If you expand your services, collaborate with other organizations, or integrate with electronic systems, a group NPI will already be in place to support those transitions.
Understanding the difference between individual and group NPI numbers is important for organizing your practice effectively. An individual NPI identifies each practitioner, while a group NPI represents your practice as a whole, supporting better operations and administrative processes.
If your practice has multiple providers or operates as a business entity, obtaining a group NPI is a free and straightforward step. Visit the NPPES Portal to complete your application today. We are not affiliated with the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) or any government entity. All references to NPPES are for informational purposes only, and any interactions or services provided are independent of NPPES.
Learn How NPI Types Affect Permissions in the Vibrant Ordering Portal