Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Vijaykumar Patel, M.D.
Internal Medicine · Delano, 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. Patel 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 →
Are you Dr. Patel?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Patel
Dr. Vijaykumar Patel is an internal medicine specialist in Delano, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Patel performed 15,462 Medicare services across 7,277 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Patel received a total of $2,219 from 17 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 62 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in internal medicine. 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. Patel 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.
✓ 19 years in practice
▲ Top 1% volume in CA
$2,219 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗15,462
Medicare services
Top 1% in CA for internal medicine
7,277
Unique beneficiaries
$30
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~814 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
2,132 | $1 | $8 |
| 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. |
1,443 | $91 | $165 |
| Chronic care management, first 20 min/month This service covers the first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional each calendar month to manage chronic conditions. |
1,070 | $50 | $80 |
| Ketorolac injection, per 15 mg An injection of ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, administered in doses measured per 15 mg. |
892 | $0 | $9 |
| Drug injection, under skin or into muscle A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance via injection into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle. |
717 | $11 | $45 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
649 | $10 | $25 |
| Complete blood count (CBC) with differential An automated laboratory test that measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood, including a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells. |
641 | $7 | $18 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
583 | $13 | $25 |
| Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting between 20 and 29 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
495 | $65 | $114 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
460 | $16 | $40 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
413 | $29 | $60 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
330 | $9 | $25 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
307 | $131 | $250 |
| Urine microalbumin test (kidney screening) A laboratory test that measures the amount of microalbumin, a small protein, in a urine sample. This test is used to detect early signs of kidney damage. |
304 | $6 | $10 |
| Creatinine test (kidney function) A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine to assess kidney function or detect muscle injury. |
304 | $5 | $10 |
| Annual depression screening | 285 | $19 | $47 |
| Ceftriaxone antibiotic injection This code represents the administration of ceftriaxone sodium, an antibiotic medication. The charge is calculated for every 250 mg of the drug administered. |
250 | $0 | $30 |
| Remote patient monitoring device, 30 days Initial setup of devices for remote monitoring of body functions with daily data transmission or alerts. This service covers the first 30 days of the monitoring period. |
220 | $42 | $75 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
212 | $32 | $45 |
| Chronic care management, additional 20 min/month This service covers an extra 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional for managing two or more chronic conditions each calendar month. |
206 | $38 | $80 |
| Remote patient monitoring management, 20 min/month Management based on results from remote vital sign monitoring for the first 20 minutes per calendar month. |
192 | $40 | $70 |
| Blood glucose test using hand-held instrument A test that measures the level of sugar in the blood using a portable device. The result helps monitor blood glucose levels. |
188 | $3 | $10 |
| EKG interpretation and report A standard electrocardiogram test that records the heart's electrical activity using at least 12 leads. The service includes a professional interpretation of the results and a written report. |
177 | $5 | $80 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, preservative-free A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus, formulated without preservatives, administered in a 0.5 ml dose. |
176 | $22 | $45 |
| Remote vital sign monitoring management, each additional 20 minutes This code covers the time spent by a provider managing patient data from remote vital sign monitoring devices. It applies to each additional 20-minute increment beyond the initial monthly service period. |
159 | $32 | $60 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
148 | $9 | $28 |
| Total T3 thyroid hormone test A blood test that measures the total amount of triiodothyronine (T3) hormone in your body. T3 is a thyroid hormone that helps regulate metabolism and energy levels. |
148 | $14 | $32 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12-lead A standard heart rhythm test using at least 12 leads to record electrical activity. A healthcare provider interprets the results and provides a written report. |
147 | $11 | $58 |
| Advance care planning consultation, first 30 min A session focused on discussing and documenting future healthcare preferences and goals. This service covers the initial 30 minutes of the planning discussion. |
146 | $78 | $120 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
123 | $27 | $60 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) A test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density in the hip, pelvis, and spine. It helps assess bone strength and risk of fractures. |
122 | $40 | $173 |
| PSA test (complexed) A blood test that measures the level of complexed prostate-specific antigen in the body. |
118 | $18 | $40 |
| 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. |
112 | $125 | $225 |
| Urinalysis, manual A manual laboratory examination of a urine sample to check for various substances and cells. |
107 | $3 | $9 |
| Behavioral health care management, 20+ minutes This service involves clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional to manage behavioral health conditions. It requires at least 20 minutes of dedicated clinical staff time. |
95 | $34 | $60 |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein test A blood test that measures high-sensitivity C-reactive protein to detect infection or inflammation. |
93 | $13 | $30 |
| Vitamin B-12 injection An injection of vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) with a dose of up to 1000 mcg. |
89 | $1 | $15 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
55 | $53 | $122 |
| Influenza virus detection test A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to detect the presence of the influenza virus through direct visual observation. |
54 | $16 | $28 |
| C-peptide level test A blood test that measures the amount of C-peptide, a protein produced along with insulin, to help evaluate insulin production and diabetes management. |
51 | $20 | $40 |
| Vitamin B-12 level test A blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. |
49 | $15 | $30 |
| Insulin level test A blood test that measures the total amount of insulin in your body. |
49 | $11 | $20 |
| COVID-19 immunoassay detection test A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay method to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) through direct visual observation. |
49 | $39 | $60 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 11-20 minutes A phone conversation with a physician lasting between 11 and 20 minutes. |
48 | $74 | $110 |
| Echocardiogram, transthoracic An ultrasound of the heart that uses color to show blood flow, rate, direction, and valve function. |
46 | $158 | $350 |
| Folic acid level test A blood test that measures the amount of folic acid in the serum. |
43 | $14 | $30 |
| Ferritin level test (iron stores) A blood test that measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body. |
42 | $13 | $30 |
| Iron level test | 42 | $6 | $15 |
| Iron binding capacity test A blood test that measures the amount of iron in the blood and the blood's ability to bind and transport iron. |
42 | $9 | $18 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube to detect inflammation in the body. This specific method is performed manually rather than using an automated machine. |
42 | $4 | $10 |
| SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, 30 mcg/0.3 mL Administration of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine containing 30 micrograms of antigen in a 0.3 milliliter dose. |
39 | $42 | $50 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
39 | $42 | $110 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, cell culture-derived A flu shot that protects against four strains of the influenza virus. It is produced using cell culture technology rather than traditional egg-based methods. |
38 | $32 | $65 |
| Uric acid level test A blood test that measures the level of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. |
35 | $4 | $8 |
| Transitional care management, high complexity Coordination of care for a patient transitioning from a short-term hospital stay or other facility to home or another care setting. This service addresses a high-complexity medical problem. |
34 | $228 | $350 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 21-30 minutes A telephone conversation with a physician lasting between 21 and 30 minutes. This code covers the time spent discussing medical matters over the phone. |
33 | $104 | $150 |
| Pneumonia vaccine administration This procedure involves the injection of a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease. It is administered by a healthcare provider. |
32 | $31 | $45 |
| Basic metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of basic chemicals, including total calcium levels. |
27 | $8 | $25 |
| Abdominal X-ray series with chest X-ray This procedure involves taking a series of X-ray images of the abdomen along with a single X-ray image of the chest. |
23 | $37 | $80 |
| Prothrombin time test (blood clotting) A laboratory test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. This procedure evaluates the body's coagulation process. |
23 | $4 | $10 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in the arm or leg. The test uses sound waves to check blood flow and may include compression and other maneuvers. |
23 | $153 | $300 |
| Stool test for blood to screen for colon tumors A test that analyzes a stool sample to detect hidden blood, which is used to screen for colon tumors. |
22 | $4 | $10 |
| Continuous glucose monitoring with interpretation This procedure involves monitoring blood sugar levels in tissue fluid using a sensor placed under the skin, along with the interpretation and reporting of the results. |
21 | $28 | $95 |
| Continuous glucose monitoring, sensor under skin This procedure involves continuous monitoring of blood sugar levels in tissue fluid using a sensor placed under the skin with provider-supplied equipment. |
20 | $122 | $325 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
19 | $26 | $53 |
| Pneumococcal vaccine, 23-valent A vaccine that protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is used to prevent infections caused by these bacteria. |
19 | $131 | $178 |
| Shoulder X-ray, 2+ views An X-ray imaging test of the shoulder joint using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
18 | $25 | $50 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
18 | $25 | $95 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck blood flow, bilateral An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the vessels of both the head and the neck. |
16 | $158 | $500 |
| Ear wax removal A procedure to remove impacted ear wax from the ear canal. |
13 | $39 | $80 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 2 to 3 views of the lower back and sacral spine to visualize the bones and joints in this area. |
13 | $29 | $60 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
13 | $40 | $86 |
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) An intramuscular injection of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. This vaccine protects against 15 types of pneumococcal bacteria. |
13 | $223 | $275 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood vessels in the legs or any surgical grafts present. |
13 | $199 | $350 |
| X-ray of foot, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the foot using two different angles to create pictures of the bones and joints. |
11 | $22 | $43 |
| 2-day continuous ECG with review and report A two-day continuous electrocardiogram recording that includes a professional review and written report of the results. |
11 | $52 | $150 |
| Routine 12-lead ECG screening A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram performed as part of an initial preventive physical examination. The service includes both the performance of the test and the physician's interpretation and report. |
11 | $10 | $30 |
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.
0.3% high complexity
27.3% medium
72.4% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$2,219
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $317/year across 7 years
Top 25% in CA for internal medicine
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
17
Companies
62
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
$2,207 (99.5%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$12 (0.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$112
2023
$102
2022
$236
2021
$211
2020
$48
2019
$874
2018
$635
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Melinta Therapeutics, LLC
$112
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$478
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$341
Nestle HealthCare Nutrition Inc.
$215
Allergan Inc.
$201
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$184
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$125
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$115
Melinta Therapeutics, LLC
$112
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$89
PFIZER INC.
$87
Novo Nordisk Inc
$52
AngioDynamics, Inc.
$51
Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc
$45
Amgen Inc.
$42
Lilly USA, LLC
$38
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$30
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$13
Top 3 companies account for 46.6% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Auryon Laser System 100-120 Vac · BREZTRI · CHANTIX · ELIQUIS · EMGALITY · EVENITY · FARXIGA · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · KRYSTEXXA · Kerendia · Kimyrsa · LINZESS · Ozempic · PREVNAR - 13 · PREVNAR 13 · Prolia · SHINGRIX · STEGLATRO · TOUJEO · TRADJENTA · Tresiba · Trulance · VRAYLAR · ZENPEP
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 (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Internal medicine physicians within 10 mi
58
Per 100K population
6.4
County median income
$67,660
Nearest hospital
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
0.0 mi
0.0 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. Patel is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 1% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Patel experienced with steroid injection (triamcinolone)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Patel performed 2,132 steroid injection (triamcinolone) 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. Patel receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Patel received a total of $2,219 from 17 companies across 62 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. Patel's costs compare to other internal medicine physicians in Delano?
Dr. Patel's average Medicare payment per service is $30. 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. Patel) 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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