Identifier Details
The NPI was proposed as an 8-position alphanumeric identifier. However, many stakeholders preferred a 10-position numeric identifier with a check digit in the last position (the first 9 positions are the identifier and the last position is a check digit) to help detect keying errors. The NPI contains no embedded intelligence; that is, it contains no information about the health care provider, such as the type or location of the health care provider.
An NPI number that is a 10-digit NPI Number may be validated using the Luhn algorithm by prefixing "80840" to the 10-digit number.
Read more about this topic: National Provider Identifier
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