Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist Showdown 2025 – Master the CPCS with Confidence!

The correct answer to which database originated first is that the HIPDB (Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank) was established before the NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank). The HIPDB was created as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996, focusing on preventing healthcare fraud and abuse. It serves to collect and maintain information about healthcare practitioners who have engaged in fraudulent activities.

On the other hand, the NPDB, established in 1986, primarily collects information concerning the professional competence and conduct of healthcare practitioners, including malpractice payments and disciplinary actions. Although both databases serve critical functions in protecting healthcare quality and safety, HIPDB was instituted later than NPDB and thus does not predate it. Understanding the timeline and purpose of these databases is essential for effective credentialing and regulatory compliance in healthcare.