# Changelog of Healthcare Provider Scraper — NPI Registry (`lanky_quantifier/healthcare-provider-scraper`) Actor

- **URL**: https://apify.com/lanky_quantifier/healthcare-provider-scraper/changelog.md
- **Full Actor documentation**: https://apify.com/lanky_quantifier/healthcare-provider-scraper.md

## Changelog

All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.

### \[1.0.0] - 2024-01-15

#### Added

- Initial release of Healthcare Provider Directory Scraper
- Integration with official NPI Registry API (npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov)
- Support for multiple search types:
  - Search by provider name (first/last name)
  - Search by medical specialty
  - Search by geographic location (city/state/ZIP)
  - Search by NPI number
- Comprehensive provider data extraction:
  - Full name and credentials (MD, DO, NP, PA, etc.)
  - Specialty and taxonomy codes
  - Address, city, state, ZIP code
  - Phone numbers
  - Active/inactive status
  - Last updated dates
  - Alternative identifiers
- Input validation and error handling
- Pagination support for large result sets
- Rate limiting (500ms between requests)
- Summary statistics with each run
- Professional credential extraction and normalization
- Active/inactive provider filtering options
- Support for both individual providers and organizations

#### Technical Details

- Built with Apify SDK and Crawlee
- Node.js 18 runtime
- Uses official CMS API (no authentication required)
- Respectful rate limiting implementation
- Comprehensive logging

#### Known Limitations

- Maximum 1000 results per run (adjustable in input)
- API response time varies by query complexity
- Some providers may have incomplete data in NPI Registry
- Secondary data sources (Healthgrades, Zocdoc, Vitals) not yet integrated

#### Future Enhancements

- Integration with secondary data sources
- Enrichment with ratings and reviews
- Hospital directory integration
- State medical board directory queries
- Provider availability/accepting patients indicators
- Insurance acceptance information
- Specialization level (fellowship details)