Which number is assigned by an insurance company to a physician who provides services to patients?

The number assigned by an insurance company to a physician who provides services to patients is known as the Provider Identification Number (PIN). This number is essential for healthcare providers, as it allows them to bill for services rendered to patients and facilitates the processing of claims by insurance companies. The PIN is a unique identifier that helps to streamline the healthcare billing process and ensures that the provider's identity is authenticated within the insurance system.

Other options, while related to provider identification and billing, serve different specific purposes or are outdated. The Group Provider Number is typically assigned to a group practice rather than individual physicians. The Performing Provider Identification Number (PPIN) may be used in specific contexts where a provider has multiple identifiers for various services, but it is not the standard. The Unique Provider Identification Number (UPIN) was an earlier version of identifier systems that have largely been replaced by the National Provider Identifier (NPI) system, which standardizes and simplifies these identification processes further. Thus, the Provider Identification Number (PIN) is the most accurate and appropriate choice in the context of the services rendered to patients by a physician.