Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Michael Palmer, M.D.
Surgery · Eureka, 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. Palmer 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. Palmer
Dr. Michael Palmer is a surgery specialist in Eureka, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Palmer performed 4,961 Medicare services across 4,047 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Palmer received a total of $1,944 from 12 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 49 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in surgery. 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. Palmer 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
$1,944 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗4,961
Medicare services
Top 1% in CA for surgery
4,047
Unique beneficiaries
$154
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~261 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 (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. |
781 | $69 | $175 |
| 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. |
443 | $146 | $611 |
| 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. |
393 | $189 | $727 |
| 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. |
377 | $148 | $595 |
| 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. |
326 | $101 | $255 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in one arm or leg using compression and other maneuvers to assess blood flow and check for blockages. |
312 | $95 | $386 |
| Complete ultrasound of aorta, vena cava, groin vessels or bypass grafts A complete ultrasound exam of the aorta, vena cava, groin vessels, or bypass grafts. This imaging test uses sound waves to visualize these blood vessels. |
267 | $142 | $519 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
236 | $84 | $250 |
| 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. |
207 | $122 | $380 |
| 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. |
196 | $45 | $105 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to create images of the arteries in one leg or any grafts present in that leg. |
146 | $101 | $440 |
| Chemical destruction of first incompetent vein with imaging guidance This procedure uses imaging guidance to chemically destroy the first incompetent vein in the arm or leg. |
133 | $1,457 | $5,200 |
| Strapping, unna boot | 109 | $67 | $209 |
| Ultrasound of blood vessel, initial vessel An ultrasound exam of a blood vessel that includes a radiologist's review of the initial vessel. |
109 | $68 | $225 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 5-10 minutes A phone conversation with a physician lasting between 5 and 10 minutes to discuss medical matters. |
87 | $26 | $35 |
| Ultrasound of hemodialysis access An ultrasound imaging test used to evaluate the blood flow and structure of a hemodialysis access site. |
83 | $106 | $280 |
| Moderate sedation during GI endoscopy Sedation services provided by the physician performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure. This requires an independent trained observer to assist in monitoring the patient. |
68 | $4 | $12 |
| Radiologist review of abdominal aorta and leg artery images A radiologist reviews images of the abdominal aorta and the arteries in both legs. This process involves analyzing the visual data to assess the condition of these blood vessels. |
64 | $73 | $400 |
| Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the blood vessels in the arms and legs. It allows healthcare providers to examine the structure and blood flow within these arteries. |
49 | $69 | $272 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
47 | $49 | $386 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis blood flow This procedure uses sound waves to create images of blood flow in the arteries and veins of the abdomen and pelvis. It evaluates the rate and direction of blood movement within these vessels. |
46 | $221 | $980 |
| Ultrasound of aorta, vena cava, groin vessels or bypass grafts This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the aorta, vena cava, groin vessels, or bypass grafts. It allows for the visualization of these blood vessels and any surgical grafts. |
42 | $74 | $365 |
| Initial hospital admission, moderate complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving moderate-level medical decision making, with at least 55 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
41 | $99 | $320 |
| Chemical injection for multiple incompetent leg veins A procedure involving the injection of a chemical agent into several non-functioning veins in the leg. |
39 | $95 | $408 |
| Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy A procedure to collect tissue samples from the esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine using a flexible tube with a camera. The samples are examined to check for abnormalities. |
38 | $66 | $737 |
| Arterial thrombectomy, chest, neck, or brain A procedure to remove a blood clot and part of an artery in the chest, neck, or brain. |
37 | $855 | $3,465 |
| Additional blood vessel ultrasound evaluation An ultrasound exam of a blood vessel that includes a radiologist's review. This code applies to each additional vessel evaluated beyond the initial one. |
35 | $54 | $177 |
| Groin artery stent insertion, initial vessel A procedure to place a stent in the initial artery of the groin to keep it open and maintain blood flow. |
30 | $371 | $1,512 |
| Colonoscopy with biopsy A procedure to collect tissue samples from the large intestine using a flexible tube with a camera. The samples are examined to check for abnormalities or disease. |
24 | $108 | $962 |
| Leg artery stent insertion A procedure to place a stent in the arteries of the leg to keep them open and improve blood flow. |
23 | $340 | $1,243 |
| Central venous port insertion A surgical procedure to place a small reservoir under the skin for long-term access to the bloodstream. The device is connected to a vein to allow for repeated medication administration or blood draws. |
21 | $260 | $2,550 |
| Artery plaque removal and stent insertion in leg This procedure involves removing plaque buildup from leg arteries and placing stents to keep the blood vessels open. |
20 | $515 | $1,703 |
| Colon polyp removal with endoscopic snare This procedure removes polyps or growths from the large bowel using a flexible tube with a camera and a wire loop tool. The snare is used to cut off the growths during the examination. |
17 | $216 | $1,359 |
| Colonoscopy A diagnostic exam of the large bowel using a flexible endoscope to visualize the interior of the colon. |
15 | $140 | $879 |
| Radiologist review of arm or leg artery image A radiologist reviews images of the arteries in the arm or leg. This process involves analyzing the visual data to assess the blood vessels. |
15 | $34 | $43 |
| Arterial plaque removal in leg A procedure to remove plaque buildup from the arteries in the leg to restore blood flow. |
14 | $391 | $1,410 |
| Injection of chemical agent into single incompetent vein | 13 | $56 | $413 |
| Hemodialysis circuit intervention with balloon dilation A procedure to insert a needle or tube into a hemodialysis circuit and dilate the dialysis segment using a balloon, with radiological review. |
12 | $150 | $490 |
| Radiologist review of abdominal aorta image A radiologist reviews images of the abdominal aorta to evaluate the blood vessel. |
12 | $53 | $284 |
| Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening A colonoscopy performed to screen for colorectal cancer in individuals who are not at high risk for the disease. |
12 | $177 | $879 |
| Arterial catheter insertion, initial third order branch Insertion of a tube into an abdominal, pelvic, or leg artery, specifically targeting the initial third order branch. |
11 | $168 | $750 |
| Groin hernia repair, age 5 or older Surgical repair of a hernia in the groin area for patients aged 5 years or older. |
11 | $435 | $1,657 |
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.
7.9% high complexity
48.3% medium
43.8% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$1,944
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $278/year across 7 years
Top 49% in CA for surgery
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
12
Companies
49
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
$1,944 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$323
2023
$750
2022
$217
2021
$53
2020
$22
2019
$167
2018
$412
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Inari Medical, Inc.
$87
ShockWave Medical, Inc
$73
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
$72
Abbott Laboratories
$61
Medtronic, Inc.
$30
Top 3 companies account for 71.9% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
$371
Abbott Laboratories
$330
Cook Medical LLC
$325
Inari Medical, Inc.
$289
ShockWave Medical, Inc
$220
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$155
Medtronic, Inc.
$101
Boston Scientific Corporation
$86
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
$22
Shockwave Medical, Inc
$17
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$14
Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 52.8% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(6582) Visions 035 · COOK MEDICAL ZILVER PTX · CT THROMBECTOMY SYSTEM KIT · ClosureFast · Cook Medical Zilver PTX · ELUVIA · ENDURANT IIS · ESPRIT · EXCLUDER Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis with Active Control · Endurant · FLOWTRIEVER CATHETER · GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis · GORE VIABAHN VBX Balloon Expandable Endo · IN.PACT ADMIRAL · INNOVA · JETI · JETI PERIPHERAL CATHETER · MITRACLIP · S · SHOCKWAVE IVL SYSTEM WITH THE SHOCKWAVE C2 CORONARY IVL CATHETER · Shockwave IVL System with the Shockwave C2 Coronary IVL Catheter · VENOVO · Vascular Lithotripsy
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
Surgerists within 10 mi
17
Per 100K population
12.6
County median income
$61,135
Nearest hospital
PROVIDENCE ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL
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. Palmer 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. Palmer experienced with office visit, established patient (20-29 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Palmer performed 781 office visit, established patient (20-29 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. Palmer receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Palmer received a total of $1,944 from 12 companies across 49 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. Palmer's costs compare to other surgerists in Eureka?
Dr. Palmer's average Medicare payment per service is $154. 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. Palmer) 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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