National Provider Identifier, Entity Type 1

Individual health care providers may receive an NPI as Entity Type 1. Sole proprietors applying for an NPI using their own Social Security Number (SSN), not an Employer Identification Number (EIN) (even if they have an EIN) will receive an Entity Type 1 NPI. A sole proprietor may receive only one NPI, just like any other individual. For example, if a physician is a sole proprietor, the physician may receive only one NPI (the individual’s NPI). The following factors do not affect whether a sole proprietor is an Entity Type 1: Number of different office locations Whether sole proprietor physician has employees Whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued an EIN to the physician so your employees’ W-2 forms can reflect the EIN instead of your Taxpayer Identification Number (which is your SSN)