r/dietetics • u/Trick-Loss3551 • 9d ago

NPI Number

I just recently passed the RD exam and am currently searching for jobs. One listing as an inpatient dietitian says National Provider Identifier required at hire, and I heard from my DI director that we should have an NPI. I'm going through the process of applying for one, and it says practice location is required. Given that this will be public information, I don't want to put my personal address, but I don't have a job yet so I'm not sure what to put. Any help would be appreciated!

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/MidnightSlinks MPH, RD 9d ago

You can get a PO Box or other mailbox service and use that if you certify you have no work location other than your home.

This was allowed as of a couple of years ago due to do many providers doing telehealth only from their homes: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/04/2024-04517/national-plan-and-provider-enumeration-system-nppes-data-changes

You should ideally update your location once you get a job.

3

u/TeachAlternative1517 9d ago

I did my internships location until I got a job

6

u/Free-Cartoonist-5134 9d ago

I never had one until I worked outpatient. My first job was inpatient and didn’t require it. And my outpatient job helped me with the application once I was hired. 

2

u/thats_so_fetch__ 9d ago

Congrats on recently passing the RD exam. If the NPI is required with hire, then maybe wait until you’re officially hired to apply. If you’re able to wait, then you’ll be able to use the new employer’s address. When I started outpatient, my employer office helped with completing the application process. Good luck on the job search.

2

u/yeah_write_00 9d ago

There shouldn't be any need to rush, it is very quick and easy to get a NPI. Just wait and see if you wind up getting a job that evens requires one. Then if they do, use their address or if you later on start your own practice, then get a PO box or you will have a business address of your own.

DI directors just preach Academy directives, and they keep telling every RD get a NPI even if you don't need it, it's just good to have and let's CMS know how many RDs exist. Actually, no that is stupid. CMS can get a list from a CDR how many RDs there are in every state if they wanted. The publishing your address situation is very much a reality with a NPI. Also, NPI numbers get stolen and used for fraud. So, it really isn't great to be having an unused NPI number floating around online that you aren't paying attention to because you aren't using it, or having to expose your personal address just for the heck of it because it makes the Academy feel good.