Do You Need Two National Provider Identifier Numbers?

If you have incorporated your practice—even if you are a solo provider—you need to have two national provider identifiers (NPIs) to bill Medicare appropriately: one for you, the physician who provided the care the claim is for, and one for the corporation under which you bill. The Type I NPI, for individuals, must be listed on form CMS 1500 (08-05 version) in box 24j (“Rendering Provider ID #”). The Type II NPI, for incorporated organizations, must be listed in box 33a, under “Billing Provider Info& Ph #.”

If your practice is a sole proprietorship rather than a corporation, you need to use only the Type I NPI, which can be listed in both box 24j and 33a on the 1500 form.

The use of NPIs began for most health entities on May 23. ▪