Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Benjamin Kelley, M.D.
Dermatology · La Jolla, CA
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
Speaking/Promotional
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. Kelley 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. Kelley
Dr. Benjamin Kelley is a dermatology specialist in La Jolla, CA, with 12 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Kelley performed 4,345 Medicare services across 2,845 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Kelley received a total of $19,320 from 21 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 76 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in dermatology. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Kelley 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.
✓ 12 years in practice
▲ Top 29% volume in CA
$19,320 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗4,345
Medicare services
Top 29% in CA for dermatology
2,845
Unique beneficiaries
$150
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~362 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
940 | $62 | $284 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of two to fourteen precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to eliminate abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
728 | $6 | $28 |
| 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. |
562 | $68 | $248 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
406 | $472 | $2,417 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growth, 1 Removal of a single precancerous skin growth. This procedure destroys abnormal skin cells to prevent them from developing into cancer. |
252 | $45 | $266 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 189 | $370 | $1,539 |
| Tissue staining for diagnosis, additional An extra laboratory procedure to apply special stains to tissue slides for detailed examination. |
182 | $77 | $140 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
126 | $78 | $412 |
| Tissue staining for diagnosis, initial A laboratory test where special stains are applied to tissue slides to help examine the cells and identify specific characteristics. |
102 | $89 | $169 |
| Destruction of skin growths (warts/lesions), 1-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of one to fourteen skin growths. It is a minor surgical intervention performed on the skin surface. |
87 | $90 | $458 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks A procedure to remove a growth from the trunk, arms, or legs and send 1 to 5 tissue samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination. |
84 | $535 | $2,046 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
68 | $164 | $1,079 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 2.6-5.0 cm | 63 | $149 | $1,185 |
| New patient office visit, 15-29 minutes An initial office visit for a new patient lasting 15 to 29 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter meets this duration threshold. |
57 | $55 | $201 |
| Additional skin growth biopsy Removal of a sample of an additional skin growth for laboratory examination. This code is used for each extra lesion biopsied during the same session. |
44 | $40 | $205 |
| Complicated wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound measuring between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters on areas such as the face, neck, hands, or feet. |
42 | $212 | $1,666 |
| Skin graft repair of eyelid, nose, ear, or lip, 10 sq cm or less A surgical procedure to repair a wound on the eyelid, nose, ear, or lip by transferring a small piece of skin. The transferred skin covers an area of 10 square centimeters or less. |
40 | $630 | $2,598 |
| 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. |
36 | $101 | $350 |
| Skin graft repair, 10.1-30 sq cm A surgical procedure to repair wounds on the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, underarms, genitals, hands, or feet by transferring skin. The graft covers an area between 10.1 and 30.0 square centimeters. |
32 | $799 | $3,431 |
| Full thickness skin graft to nose, ears, eyelids, or lips, 20 sq cm or less A surgical procedure where a full layer of skin is taken from a donor site and transplanted to the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips. The graft covers an area of 20 square centimeters or less. |
32 | $868 | $3,605 |
| Pathology tissue examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to identify abnormalities. This specific level indicates a moderate degree of complexity in the analysis. |
32 | $36 | $178 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 7.6-12.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 7.6 and 12.5 centimeters. It includes cleaning the wound and closing it with sutures to promote healing. |
26 | $214 | $1,225 |
| Special stain test for organisms A laboratory test using special stains on tissue slides to identify microorganisms. The process includes the technical preparation of the slides and a professional interpretation of the results. |
25 | $84 | $111 |
| Skin graft repair of eyelid, nose, ear, or lip, 10.1-30 sq cm This procedure involves repairing a wound on the eyelid, nose, ear, or lip by transferring skin from another area. The graft size covered is between 10.1 and 30.0 square centimeters. |
23 | $839 | $3,548 |
| Additional Mohs surgery stage with microscopic exam This procedure involves the removal and microscopic examination of an additional stage of tissue from the trunk, arms, or legs. It is performed in stages to ensure complete removal of the growth. |
22 | $357 | $1,476 |
| 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. |
21 | $49 | $150 |
| Special tissue stain and interpretation A laboratory test using special stains to examine tissue samples, including the pathologist's review and written report of the findings. |
18 | $43 | $57 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm Removal of a cancerous skin growth on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
17 | $136 | $691 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters. |
15 | $139 | $1,097 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the neck, hands, feet, or genitals that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. It is classified as an intermediate repair requiring layered closure. |
14 | $140 | $1,134 |
| Skin graft repair, 30.1-60.0 sq cm A surgical procedure to repair a wound by transferring skin from one area to another. This code applies to grafts covering an area between 30.1 and 60.0 square centimeters. |
14 | $921 | $4,002 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue is between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. |
12 | $193 | $1,221 |
| Surgical pathology consultation on referred slides A pathologist reviews and reports on tissue slides that were prepared at another facility. This service provides a second opinion or expert analysis of the existing samples. |
12 | $82 | $367 |
| Skin graft for scalp, arm, or leg wound, 10.1-30 sq cm This procedure involves repairing a wound on the scalp, arms, or legs by transferring skin from another area to cover the defect. The graft size is between 10.1 and 30.0 square centimeters. |
11 | $744 | $3,159 |
| Skin graft repair, 10 sq cm or less A surgical procedure to repair a wound by transferring a small piece of skin to the affected area. The graft covers wounds on the face, neck, hands, feet, or other specified body parts. |
11 | $670 | $2,661 |
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.
0.5% high complexity
3.9% medium
95.6% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$19,320
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $3,220/year across 6 years
Top 10% in CA for dermatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
21
Companies
76
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.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$17,577 (91.0%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$1,203 (6.2%)
Other
Charitable contributions, space rental, and other categories
$540 (2.8%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$658
2023
$838
2022
$96
2021
$42
2019
$17,670
2018
$17
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Acera Surgical, Inc.
$104
ABBVIE INC.
$85
Organogenesis Inc.
$77
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$65
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$63
Lilly USA, LLC
$56
Incyte Corporation
$53
PFIZER INC.
$43
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$28
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$27
Almirall LLC
$21
Amgen Inc.
$18
Integra LifeSciences Corporation
$17
Top 3 companies account for 40.5% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Stemline Therapeutics Inc.
$17,577
Integra LifeSciences Corporation
$557
PFIZER INC.
$179
Lilly USA, LLC
$141
Acera Surgical, Inc.
$104
Incyte Corporation
$103
ABBVIE INC.
$85
Organogenesis Inc.
$77
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$65
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$64
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$63
Amgen Inc.
$57
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$54
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$43
Krystal Biotech Inc
$28
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$27
Almirall LLC
$21
Tactile Systems Technology Inc
$21
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$20
GENZYME CORPORATION
$18
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$15
Top 3 companies account for 94.8% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ABSORICA · ALTRENO · CIBINQO · EBGLYSS · ELZONRIS · EUCRISA · Enbrel · FLEXITOUCH · ILUMYA · Ilumya · Integra · Klisyri · LIBTAYO · OPZELURA · Otezla · RINVOQ · Restrata Wound Matrix · SPEVIGO · STRAVIX · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · Tremfya · VYJUVEK · YCANTH
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 →
The majority of payments (91%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in dermatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 10% for dermatology in CA.
Geographic Context
Dermatologists within 10 mi
255
Per 100K population
7.8
County median income
$102,285
Nearest hospital
SCRIPPS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LA JOLLA
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. Kelley is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 29% in CA), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 10% of CA peers.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Kelley experienced with tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Kelley performed 940 tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity 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. Kelley receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Kelley received a total of $19,320 from 21 companies across 76 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. Kelley's costs compare to other dermatologists in La Jolla?
Dr. Kelley's average Medicare payment per service is $150. 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. Kelley) 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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