[The NPI][1] must be used in connection with the electronic transactions identified in HIPAA. In addition, the NPI may be used in several other ways:
by health care providers to identify themselves in health care transactions identified in HIPAA or on related correspondence;
by health care providers to identify other health care providers in health care transactions or on related correspondence;
by health care providers on prescriptions (however, the NPI will not replace requirements for the DEA number or state license number);
by health plans in their internal provider files to process transactions and communicate with health care providers;
by health plans to coordinate benefits with other health plans;
by health care clearinghouses in their internal files to create and process standard transactions and to communicate with health care providers and health plans;
by electronic patient record systems to identify treating health care providers in patient medical records;
by the Department of Health and Human Services to cross reference health care providers in fraud and abuse files and other program integrity files;
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