Joseph Smith's NPI Number

NPI Number Explanation:

The NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique identification number for covered health care providers in the United States. The question about Joseph Smith, a mental health counselor in New York, does not provide enough information to determine his NPI number. The area code of his phone number (212) is not related to the NPI number. Therefore, the correct answer is A. It is not provided.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that all health care providers have an National Provider Identifier (NPI). This NPI will replace the various provider identification numbers (ID numbers issued by insurance companies) that counselors use to bill insurance and managed care companies. Therefore, each counselor will have just one ID number (the NPI) to use for every insurance and managed health care company. Most health plans, private health insurance issuers and all health care clearinghouses must accept and use NPIs in standard transactions by May 23, 2007.