does a veterinarian need a npi number
Veterinarians and NPI Numbers. Often retail and community pharmacies request Veterinariansâ NPI (National Provider Identification) number when filling prescriptions for animal patients. NPI numbers were implemented in 2007 by the Department of Health and Human Services to identify healthcare providers that bill for Medicare services. Unfortunately, veterinarians canât get NPI numbers, as they do not meet the definition of health care provider as defined in the 45 CFR 160.103. This is not well known in retail and community pharmacies. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officially clarified this issue on their website.