Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Steven Yaplee, M.D.
Ophthalmology · Bakersfield, CA
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
Low-engagement
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Yaplee from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
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What this data tells you about Dr. Yaplee
Dr. Steven Yaplee is an ophthalmology specialist in Bakersfield, CA, with 18 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Yaplee performed 7,167 Medicare services across 4,744 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Yaplee received a total of $10,664 from 47 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 460 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in ophthalmology. Most payments are for meals and travel — low-value interactions common across virtually all practicing physicians. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Yaplee is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 18 years in practice
▲ Top 13% volume in CA
$10,664 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗7,167
Medicare services
Top 13% in CA for ophthalmology
4,744
Unique beneficiaries
$142
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~398 Medicare services per year of practice
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) A follow-up office visit for an existing patient lasting between 30 and 39 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
1,249 | $99 | $220 |
| Eye exam, established patient, focused A limited examination of the visual system for an existing patient. The provider focuses on a specific eye-related concern or symptom. |
801 | $70 | $180 |
| Retinal photography (fundus photo) This procedure involves taking photographs of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is used to document the condition of the eye's interior structures. |
502 | $29 | $140 |
| Ultrasound of brain blood flow following medication An ultrasound test used to assess blood flow within the brain after a medication has been administered. |
439 | $231 | $600 |
| Ultrasound of brain blood flow An ultrasound test used to examine blood flow within the brain to check for blood clots. |
439 | $116 | $600 |
| Complete ultrasound of brain blood flow An ultrasound test that evaluates blood flow within the brain's blood vessels. It uses sound waves to create images of the vessels and assess circulation. |
434 | $229 | $350 |
| Retinal imaging (OCT scan) This procedure involves imaging the retina to visualize its structure. It is used to examine the back of the eye. |
327 | $31 | $90 |
| Tear duct plug insertion A procedure to insert a small plug into the tear duct opening to help retain tears on the eye surface. |
325 | $177 | $614 |
| Visual field test, extended A test that maps your complete field of vision to detect blind spots or peripheral vision loss. Extended testing provides a more detailed assessment than a standard visual field exam. |
322 | $50 | $140 |
| Amniotic membrane placement on eye surface This procedure involves placing amniotic membrane on the surface of the eye to promote wound healing. |
310 | $1,142 | $3,100 |
| Optic nerve imaging (OCT scan) Imaging of the optic nerve. |
296 | $27 | $120 |
| Extended exam of back of eye with optic nerve drawing A detailed examination of the posterior section of the eye, including the optic nerve, with documentation through drawing. |
239 | $12 | $90 |
| Corneal topography and eye depth measurement This procedure measures the curvature and depth of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. |
201 | $21 | $150 |
| Eye drainage system examination An examination of the internal drainage system of the eye to assess how fluid flows and drains from the eye. |
178 | $22 | $60 |
| Dark adaptation test This test evaluates how well your eyes adjust to changes in light and dark conditions. It includes an interpretation of the results and a formal report. |
157 | $38 | $140 |
| Extended color vision testing A comprehensive eye exam that includes specialized tests to evaluate color vision. |
112 | $42 | $120 |
| Laser repair to improve eye fluid flow A laser procedure used to enhance the drainage of fluid within the eye. |
104 | $160 | $700 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
88 | $105 | $340 |
| Eye injection for retinal disease A procedure involving the administration of medication directly into the eye. |
82 | $71 | $500 |
| Laser removal of recurring cataract A laser procedure to remove a recurring cataract within the lens capsule. |
67 | $253 | $1,000 |
| CT scan of cornea A computed tomography scan used to create detailed images of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. |
64 | $28 | $120 |
| Eye photography Photographic imaging of the interior structures of the eye. |
57 | $18 | $80 |
| Imaging of front third of eye Imaging of the front third of the eye. |
50 | $24 | $100 |
| Insertion of drug delivery implant into tear duct A small implant containing medication is placed into the tear duct of the eye to deliver drugs directly to the eye over time. |
49 | $13 | $100 |
| Retinal and optic nerve function test A diagnostic test that measures how well the retina and optic nerve are functioning. |
48 | $102 | $200 |
| Ultrasound of eye tissue and structures A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the eye's internal tissues and structures. |
45 | $37 | $175 |
| Cataract surgery with lens implant Surgical removal of the clouded natural lens of the eye and replacement with an artificial prosthetic lens to restore vision. |
43 | $420 | $2,012 |
| Ultrasound scan of cornea to determine thickness An ultrasound procedure used to measure the thickness of the cornea. |
35 | $9 | $100 |
| Dilation of eye fluid drainage A procedure to widen the drainage pathways in the eye to help fluid flow out more easily. |
29 | $381 | $3,500 |
| Complex cataract removal with lens implant A surgical procedure to remove a cataract from the eye and insert an artificial lens to restore vision. |
20 | $586 | $2,500 |
| Medication injection into the eye A procedure involving the injection of medication directly into the eye. The specific type of medication or clinical purpose is not defined in the provided description. |
19 | $89 | $500 |
| Office visit, established patient, complex (40-54 min) An office or outpatient visit for an existing patient lasting between 40 and 54 minutes. This level of service is determined by the total time spent on the date of the encounter. |
13 | $146 | $300 |
| Visual field test, intermediate A test that measures your side vision to check for blind spots or other vision changes. |
12 | $39 | $100 |
| Injection of drug into cavity behind eye A procedure where medication is injected into the space behind the eyeball. |
11 | $26 | $295 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. A higher procedure volume generally indicates more experience with that procedure.
0.6% high complexity
31.3% medium
68.1% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$10,664
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,523/year across 7 years
Top 14% in CA for ophthalmology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
47
Companies
460
Individual payments
All payments are legal and publicly reported · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$9,933 (93.1%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$731 (6.9%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,482
2023
$859
2022
$2,192
2021
$2,367
2020
$1,329
2019
$1,106
2018
$1,330
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$333
Nova Eye, Inc.
$198
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc.
$155
Alcon Vision LLC
$141
RxSight Inc
$110
Sight Sciences, Inc.
$96
Amgen Inc.
$92
Iridex Corporation
$72
Dompe US, Inc.
$56
Glaukos Corporation
$55
REVANCE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
$46
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$28
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$27
Harrow Eye, LLC
$19
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.
$19
Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited
$17
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
$15
Top 3 companies account for 46.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Alcon Vision LLC
$1,227
Ivantis, Inc
$951
Sight Sciences, Inc.
$922
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$870
ABBVIE INC.
$714
Glaukos Corporation
$682
Notal Vision, Inc.
$638
Allergan, Inc.
$582
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$343
AbbVie Inc.
$286
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc.
$274
Allergan Inc.
$210
Nova Eye, Inc.
$198
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$194
TissueTech, Inc.
$193
MacuLogix, Inc.
$156
NEW WORLD MEDICAL,INC.
$151
Alcon Laboratories Inc
$149
Dompe US, Inc.
$122
Rayner Intraocular Lenses Limited
$121
Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
$114
EllexiScience
$112
RxSight Inc
$110
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$108
Bausch & Lomb, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$100
Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
$93
Genentech USA, Inc.
$93
Amgen Inc.
$92
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$89
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$83
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$75
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$73
Iridex Corporation
$72
GLAUKOS CORPORATION
$54
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.
$51
Optos, Inc.
$49
REVANCE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
$46
Shire North American Group Inc
$45
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$45
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$36
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
$30
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$28
BIOTISSUE HOLDINGS, INC.
$25
Harrow Eye, LLC
$19
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$14
Omeros Corporation
$13
TISSUETECH, INC.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 29.1% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · ACTIVEFOCUS · ALPHAGAN P · ARGOS · AcrySof IQ PanOptix · AcrySof IQ PanOptix UV IOL · AcrySof IQ VIVITY · AcrySof IQ VIVITY IOL · AdaptDx · Ahmed Glaucoma Valve · Avenova · BromSite (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.075% · CEQUA · COMBIGAN · Centurion · Cequa · DAXXIFY · DEXTENZA · DEXYCU · DURYSTA · HYDRUS Microstent · Hydrus · Hydrus Microstent · INVELTYS · IOLMaster 500 · ISTENT INJECT W · ISTENT TRABECULAR MICRO-BYPASS STENT SYSTEM · Izervay · Kahook Dual Blade · LOTEMAX SM · LUMIGAN · MIEBO · OMNI · OMNI SURGICAL SYSTEM · OMNI(R) SURGICAL SYSTEM (US) · OXERVATE · Omidria · PANORAMIC OPHTHALMOSCOPE · PROKERA · Prokera · RESTASIS · RESTASIS MULTIDOSE · RXSIGHT CONTACT LENS · ReSTOR · Rhopressa · Rocklatan · TEPEZZA · TRAVATAN Z · TYRVAYA · TearCare SmartLid · Tecnis 1-piece IOL · Tecnis Multifocal Family of 1-piece IOLS · VABYSMO · VEVYE · VUITY · VYZULTA · XEN · XEN GLAUCOMA TREATMENT SYSTEM · XIIDRA · enVista MX60 IOL · iDose · iStent · iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent System · rhopressa · rocklatan
Should you be concerned? Payments from pharmaceutical and device companies are legal and common — 57% of U.S. physicians receive at least one. They often reflect legitimate consulting, research, or education. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
Most payments (93%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Ophthalmologists within 10 mi
21
Per 100K population
2.3
County median income
$67,660
Nearest hospital
BAKERSFIELD BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL, LLC
4.6 mi
4.6 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | Weekly updates |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | Monthly updates |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not public | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Yaplee is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 13% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 14% of CA peers, with 18 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Yaplee experienced with office visit, established patient (30-39 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Yaplee performed 1,249 office visit, established patient (30-39 min) services. Research suggests that higher procedure volume is often associated with better outcomes, particularly for complex procedures. Note that Medicare data only captures patients aged 65 and older, so the total practice volume across all patients is likely higher.
Does Dr. Yaplee receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Yaplee received a total of $10,664 from 47 companies across 460 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common among physicians — 57% of all U.S. physicians receive at least one industry payment. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Yaplee's costs compare to other ophthalmologists in Bakersfield?
Dr. Yaplee's average Medicare payment per service is $142. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Yaplee) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating a long track record of practice, Medicare participation, and industry disclosure. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Each data source has its own update cycle. Provider registry data (NPPES) is updated weekly. Medicare enrollment (PECOS) is updated monthly. Medicare practice data has a ~2 year lag — the most recent available is typically 2 years prior. Industry payment data (Open Payments) is published annually, usually in June, covering the prior calendar year. We display the data date prominently on each section so you always know how current it is. See our data freshness policy →
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About this page
All data on this page is sourced verbatim from public federal records published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
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