Stillwell Journal

Do you need a physical office address for your practice? NPI, DEA and insurance panels

By Diana, founder of Stillwell · Updated November 6, 2026

Short answer: many telehealth-only therapists can list a home address, but most would rather not publish it. Prescribers registered with the DEA need a real practice location, not a P.O. box or mail drop. Insurance panels want the place you actually see clients. A part-time office solves all three, and a virtual address covers your website and mail.

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with NPPES, the DEA and each payer.

NPI (NPPES)

• Your NPI record lists a mailing address and a practice location.
• The practice location can't be a P.O. box. It's public, so a home address there is visible to anyone who looks you up.
• Fix: list an office where you see clients, even part time.

DEA registration (psychiatrists and psych NPs)

• A DEA registration is tied to a physical location in the state where you prescribe controlled substances.
• A mail-drop or virtual address generally won't qualify.
• If you see patients in person even one day a week, that office can serve as your registered location. Check current DEA telemedicine rules for remote-only prescribing.

More for prescribers: psychiatrists and psych NPs.

Insurance panels and CAQH

• Panels list a service location and may verify it.
• Telehealth-only locations are often accepted, but some members can only find you in directories with an in-person address.
• Adding a Brooklyn office address can put you in front of local clients who search in person.

Your website and Google

• A Google Business Profile needs a real location you staff, or a service-area setup.
• A virtual address works for your website footer, business mail and paperwork.

Which option fits

Need	Home address	Virtual address	Part-time office
Website and mail	Works, but public	✅	✅
NPI practice location	Works, but public	Check rules	✅
DEA registration	Possible	❌ usually not	✅
In-person panel listing	❌	❌	✅

Stillwell's virtual office is $75 a month for a Brooklyn business address and mail, with member rates on rooms. A half day a week is $325 a month at founding rates and gives you a real practice location. Thinking about going hybrid? Read adding in-person sessions.

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