What is a CAQH provider number?

A CAQH number (also called a CAQH ID) is a unique 10-digit identification number assigned to a healthcare provider when they register on the CAQH Provider Data Portal (part of DataSpring, powered by CAQH).

What It Does

• Acts as a Digital Passport: It links your professional background, state licenses, work history, education, and malpractice coverage to a single secure profile.
• Simplifies Credentialing: Instead of filling out separate paperwork for every insurance company, you give insurance payers your CAQH number so they can pull your verified data electronically.
• Stays with You for Life: The number remains yours for your entire career, regardless of where you practice or how many insurance networks you join.

How It Differs From an NPI

• CAQH Number: Used by insurance companies to verify your credentials and background before accepting you into their network.
• NPI (National Provider Identifier): A public federal number used to identify you on medical billing and claims after you are already enrolled.

Key Rules to Remember

• Cost: Registration and profile maintenance are free for providers.
• Maintenance: You must log in and re-attest (confirm your info is correct) every 120 days (180 days in Illinois) to keep your profile active.
• Finding Your Number: You can find it on your dashboard after logging into the CAQH Provider Data Portal, in your original welcome email, or by calling their help desk.

You can find your CAQH number by logging into the CAQH Provider Data Portal.

Ways to Find Your CAQH Number

• Dashboard: Log in with your username and password; your unique ID is displayed directly on the main screen/dashboard.
• Confirmation Email: Search your email inbox for the original welcome or registration confirmation message sent by CAQH when your profile was first created.
• Contact a Payer: Ask an insurance health plan or credentialing specialist you are already enrolled with to look up your ID using your NPI (National Provider Identifier) number.
• Call CAQH Support: Contact the CAQH support desk directly at 1-888-599-1771 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET) to retrieve it after identity verification. Most users on a Facebook discussion group also confirm that support agents will provide the number over the phone once your details are verified.

No, a CAQH number is not the same as an NPI. They are separate identifiers issued by different organizations for distinct administrative purposes.

Key Differences

• National Provider Identifier (NPI):
  • A unique 10-digit federal identification number.
  • Issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
  • Used for billing, claims, and standard HIPAA electronic transactions.
• CAQH Provider ID:
  • A separate profile identification number.
  • Issued by the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) via the CAQH ProView system.
  • Used for centralized provider credentialing, licensing verification, and network enrollment with commercial health plans.

While they are different numbers, your NPI is a required data point that you must enter into your CAQH profile when setting up or maintaining your account. Most healthcare providers need both.

CAQH stands for the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, a non-profit organization that runs a centralized online database—the CAQH Provider Data Portal (formerly known as CAQH ProView)—used to streamline healthcare provider credentialing.

What is CAQH?

• It acts as a single, standardized digital "resume" or secure data repository for healthcare providers.
• You enter your professional details once—such as your education, work history, state licenses, and malpractice insurance.
• Instead of filling out lengthy, separate paperwork for every single insurance company, you give authorized commercial payers permission to access your profile.
• It is completely free for healthcare providers to use.
• You must log in and re-attest (confirm your data is correct) every 120 days to keep the profile active.

Why Do You Need It?

• Insurance Credentialing: If you want to accept major commercial health insurance plans (like Aetna, Blue Cross, or UnitedHealthcare), nearly all of them require or strongly prefer a complete CAQH Profile to approve you as an in-network provider.
• Time Savings: It stops you from filling out dozens of unique, repetitive forms for different insurance networks.
• Faster Approvals: Keeping your information accurate and updated through CAQH Credentialing prevents administrative delays and helps you start seeing insured patients and getting paid faster.
• Note: CAQH is mainly for commercial insurers and does not replace Medicare's PECOS system or separate state Medicaid portals.

You can get your CAQH ID and set up your account by registering directly on the CAQH Provider Data Portal.

Steps to Get and Complete Your CAQH Profile

• Register as a First-Time User: Go to the portal, scroll down to register, and enter your personal demographics, license information, and individual NPI number.
• Receive Your CAQH ID: After submitting your initial registration, CAQH will email you a unique CAQH Provider ID along with a link to set up your login credentials.
• Gather Your Documents: Prepare electronic copies (PDF, JPEG, or TIF) of your state medical license, DEA/CDS certificate (if prescribing), malpractice insurance policy, W-9 form, and CV.
• Complete Your Profile: Log in and fill out all required sections, including education, work history, and practice locations.
• Attest and Authorize: Review your information for accuracy, click Review and Attest, and grant authorization for insurance payers to view your data.
• Maintain Your Account: Re-attest and update your profile information every 120 days to keep your credentialing active.