Where to change your NPI address
You change your NPI address through the NPPES system (National Plan and Provider Enumeration System), which is run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is the only official place to update your address on file with your NPI number. You cannot change it by calling Medicare, contacting individual insurance companies, or submitting a form to your state medical board — those routes will not update your NPI record.
The NPPES system is free and available online at nppes.cms.hhs.gov. You will need your NPI number and the password you created when you first registered. If you do not have a password or have forgotten it, you can reset it on the login page using your NPI number and Social Security number or Employer Identification Number.
The address you update in NPPES is the one that appears in the public NPI registry and on claims you submit to Medicare and most private insurers. Changing it here updates your record across the system, so you do not need to notify each insurance company separately for the NPI address itself.
Key Takeaways
- Log into NPPES at nppes.cms.hhs.gov using your NPI number and password to change your address in the official registry.
- You can reset your password on the NPPES login page if you do not remember it, using your NPI number and tax ID.
- Changes to your NPI address in NPPES take effect when ready and update your record across Medicare and most insurance systems.
- If you have multiple NPIs (one for each practice location or business structure), you must update the address for each NPI separately in NPPES.
- Some insurance companies may also ask you to update your address directly with them for their own records, even though your NPI address is already changed.
Step-by-step process to update your address
Start by going to nppes.cms.hhs.gov and clicking the link to log in to your NPPES account. Enter your NPI number in the first field. In the second field, enter the password you created when you registered your NPI. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the prompts — you will need your NPI number and your Social Security number or EIN to reset it.
Once you are logged in, you will see your current NPI record displayed on the screen. Look for the section labeled "Practice Location Address" or "Mailing Address," depending on which address you need to change. Click the "Edit" button next to that section. You can now type in your new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Make sure the address is complete and accurate — this is what will appear in the public registry and on your claims.
After you enter the new address, scroll down and click "Submit" or "Save Changes." NPPES will confirm that your update has been received. The change takes effect when ready in the system. You do not need to wait for a confirmation letter or approval from CMS — the update is live as soon as you submit it.
What happens if you have multiple NPIs
If you have more than one NPI number — for example, one for your solo practice and another for a group practice, or one for each location where you work — you must update the address for each NPI separately. Logging into NPPES with one NPI number will only show you that NPI's record. You will need to log out, then log back in with the next NPI number and repeat the process.
This is common for providers who work in multiple settings or who are registered under different business structures. Make a list of all your NPI numbers before you start so you do not forget any. If you are unsure how many NPIs you have, you can search the public NPI registry at nppes.cms.hhs.gov/nppesRegistrySearchPublic and look up your name to see all registered numbers.
Notifying insurance companies and employers
Once you change your address in NPPES, your NPI record is updated automatically. However, some insurance companies and your employer may also keep their own separate records of your address for billing, credentialing, or contact purposes. Changing your NPI address does not automatically update those records.
Contact each insurance company where you are in-network and ask whether they need a separate address update from you. Many will pull your information directly from NPPES and update automatically, but some require you to submit a form or call their provider relations line. Your employer or practice management company should also be notified of your new address so they can update their internal systems and may support mail reaches you.
Timing and when the change takes effect
Your address change in NPPES is active when ready after you submit it. You do not have to wait for approval, and there is no processing time. The new address will appear in the public NPI registry within a few hours, and claims you submit after the change will reflect the new address.
However, if you have already submitted claims with your old address, those claims will not be automatically updated. If a claim is pending or has been rejected due to an address mismatch, you may need to resubmit it with the new address. Check with your billing staff or clearinghouse to see whether any claims need to be corrected.
If you cannot log into NPPES
If you have your NPI number and password but cannot log in, try resetting your password first. Go to nppes.cms.hhs.gov, click "Forgot Password," and enter your NPI number and tax ID. You will receive a temporary password by email that you can use to log in and create a new permanent password.
If you do not have your NPI number, you can search for it in the public registry at nppes.cms.hhs.gov/nppesRegistrySearchPublic using your name and state. If you still cannot access your account after resetting your password, contact the NPPES Help Desk at 1-800-465-3203. They are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and can help you regain access to your account or answer questions about your NPI record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my new address to show up in the public NPI registry?
Your address change is active in NPPES when ready after you submit it. The public NPI registry usually reflects the change within a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases. You can check by searching the public registry at nppes.cms.hhs.gov/nppesRegistrySearchPublic using your name.
Do I need to update my address with Medicare separately from NPPES?
No. NPPES is Medicare's system, so updating your address there updates your Medicare record. You do not need to contact Medicare directly. However, if you have a separate Medicare provider enrollment or billing address, you may need to update that separately through your Medicare administrative contractor.
What if my mailing address is different from my practice location address?
NPPES allows you to enter both a practice location address and a mailing address. The practice location address is where you see patients or provide services. The mailing address is where you want mail sent. You can update either one independently depending on which changed.
Can I change my NPI address if I am no longer actively practicing?
Yes. You can update your address in NPPES at any time while your NPI is active. If you have deactivated your NPI or are no longer registered, you cannot log in to make changes. Contact the NPPES Help Desk if you need to update a deactivated NPI.
What if I move to a different state?
Update your address in NPPES to your new state address. Your NPI number stays the same — it does not change when you move. However, check whether your state medical board or licensing body requires you to update your address with them separately, as that is a different system from NPPES.