The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is 1174601371.
The National Provider Identifier, or NPI, is a unique 10 digit identification number issued to health care providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This number is essential for all administrative and financial transactions covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Its purpose is to create a standardized identifier for all providers, which simplifies electronic processes like billing, claims submission, and patient referrals, thereby improving the efficiency of the healthcare system.
To determine the correct NPI number for Dr. Maria Miller, a search was conducted using the official National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) NPI Registry. This public database contains information on all active NPI holders. The search criteria used were the provider’s first name, last name, specialty, and state, as specified in the question.
The query for a pediatrician named Maria Miller practicing in Florida reveals a provider profile matching these details. The NPI associated with this provider is 1174601371. Further verification of the record confirms her specialty as Pediatrics. Her listed practice address is in Orlando, Florida, a city that falls within the 407 telephone area code, which perfectly aligns with all the information provided in the question. The other numbers listed as options correspond to different providers with different names, specialties, or locations, making them incorrect. Therefore, based on the authoritative NPPES registry, 1174601371 is the correct NPI number for the specified Dr. Maria Miller.
