NPPES: Definition and Healthcare Context
Full name: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System
The National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) is the CMS database that assigns and maintains National Provider Identifiers. Eligible healthcare providers apply through NPPES, which collects administrative fields such as submitted names, practice locations, and taxonomy codes. NPPES data is publicly downloadable as a bulk file and accessible through the NPI Registry API. The system enumerates eligible individuals (Type 1) and organizations (Type 2); enumeration does not establish licensure or credentialing.
How it’s used
- CMS NPPES NPI Registry: the NPPES bulk download is Fonteum's primary source for provider identifiers, addresses, taxonomy codes, and enumeration dates.
- CMS PECOS Medicare Provider Enrollment: PECOS records are joined to NPPES via NPI to link enrollment status to provider demographics.
- CMS QPP MIPS: NPI-level MIPS scores from QPP are enriched with taxonomy and specialty data sourced from NPPES.
Frequently asked questions
- What does NPPES stand for?
- NPPES stands for National Plan and Provider Enumeration System — the CMS database that assigns and maintains National Provider Identifiers.
- Is NPPES data public?
- Yes. CMS publishes the full NPPES dataset as a monthly bulk download at no cost, containing all active NPI records.
- What information does NPPES contain?
- NPPES records identify the NPI and enumeration type and can include submitted names, practice and mailing addresses, taxonomy codes, enumeration dates, and deactivation dates. Field availability varies by record.
Explore in Fonteum
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