Dr. Joel Barthelow, M.D.
What this data tells you about Dr. Barthelow
Dr. Joel Barthelow is an ophthalmology specialist in Chico, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Barthelow performed 5,244 Medicare services across 3,712 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Barthelow received a total of $31,632 from 30 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 221 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in ophthalmology. The majority of payments are for consulting, which typically reflects recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Barthelow 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.
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retinal imaging (OCT scan) This procedure involves imaging the retina to visualize its structure. It is used to examine the back of the eye. |
1,132 | $31 | $67 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, established patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a patient who has previously been seen by the provider. |
1,054 | $97 | $208 |
| 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. |
734 | $72 | $147 |
| Corneal topography and eye depth measurement This procedure measures the curvature and depth of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. |
297 | $37 | $82 |
| Optic nerve imaging (OCT scan) Imaging of the optic nerve. |
288 | $28 | $61 |
| 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. |
281 | $45 | $104 |
| Extended color vision testing A comprehensive eye exam that includes specialized tests to evaluate color vision. |
250 | $44 | $90 |
| Retinal and optic nerve function test A diagnostic test that measures how well the retina and optic nerve are functioning. |
234 | $107 | $211 |
| Microfluid analysis of tears A laboratory test that analyzes tear fluid using microfluidic technology to measure specific biomarkers. This procedure helps evaluate the composition of tears for diagnostic purposes. |
170 | $22 | $36 |
| 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. |
167 | $28 | $61 |
| Laser repair to improve eye fluid flow A laser procedure used to enhance the drainage of fluid within the eye. |
93 | $168 | $399 |
| Cataract removal with lens implant and laser treatment This procedure involves removing the clouded natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial prosthetic lens. It also includes laser treatment to reduce fluid production within the eye. |
89 | $599 | $1,170 |
| CT scan of cornea A computed tomography scan used to create detailed images of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. |
73 | $26 | $59 |
| Aflibercept eye injection (Eylea) | 72 | $692 | $1,555 |
| Eye injection for retinal disease A procedure involving the administration of medication directly into the eye. |
69 | $91 | $365 |
| Laser removal of recurring cataract A laser procedure to remove a recurring cataract within the lens capsule. |
56 | $263 | $545 |
| 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. |
54 | $448 | $1,086 |
| Eyelash removal with forceps This procedure involves the manual removal of eyelashes using forceps. It is a mechanical extraction method performed on the eyelid area. |
38 | $14 | $70 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, new patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a new patient. |
36 | $102 | $246 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
20 | $36 | $92 |
| Compounded drug, not otherwise classified A medication prepared specifically for an individual patient by a pharmacist or physician, tailored to meet unique needs that cannot be fulfilled by commercially available products. |
20 | $74 | $123 |
| Laser release of scar tissue between lens and retina A laser procedure used to remove scar tissue located between the lens and the retina of the eye. |
17 | $274 | $633 |
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Payments by company (2024)
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
The majority of payments (70%) are consulting fees, which typically reflect recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Total industry engagement is in the top 8% for ophthalmology in CA.
Geographic Context
4.5 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. Barthelow is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 19% in CA), with consulting-driven industry engagement in the top 8% of CA peers, with 19 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. Barthelow experienced with retinal imaging (oct scan)?
Does Dr. Barthelow receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
How do Dr. Barthelow's costs compare to other ophthalmologists in Chico?
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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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