Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Maurice Zissen, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · La Jolla, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Consulting-driven
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. Zissen 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. Zissen?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Zissen
Dr. Maurice Zissen is a radiation oncology specialist in La Jolla, CA, with 16 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Zissen performed 39,411 Medicare services across 2,118 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Zissen received a total of $28,068 from 12 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 23 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiation oncology. 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. Zissen 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.
✓ 16 years in practice
▲ Top 4% volume in CA
$28,068 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗39,411
Medicare services
Top 4% in CA for radiation oncology
2,118
Unique beneficiaries
$5
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~2,463 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI contrast dye injection (gadoterate) Administration of gadoterate meglumine, a contrast agent, in a 0.1 ml dose. |
22,000 | $0 | $1 |
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
15,559 | $0 | $3 |
| MRI of lower spine, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the lower spinal canal that does not use contrast dye to create detailed images of the spine. |
193 | $162 | $1,155 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
181 | $80 | $634 |
| 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. |
161 | $26 | $191 |
| MRI of brain with and without contrast An MRI scan of the brain using contrast dye both before and after administration to provide detailed images of brain structures. |
93 | $276 | $1,888 |
| MRI of upper spine without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal that does not use contrast dye. This imaging test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the spine. |
78 | $152 | $1,151 |
| CT scan of upper spine, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the upper spine. This procedure is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
72 | $104 | $775 |
| MRI scan of brain, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging test of the brain that does not use contrast dye. This procedure creates detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic fields and radio waves. |
71 | $168 | $1,178 |
| CT scan of lower spine, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the lower spine using X-rays without the use of contrast dye. |
63 | $111 | $770 |
| 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. |
63 | $25 | $218 |
| CT scan of face, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the facial structures. This procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
61 | $117 | $772 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan that uses dye to create detailed images of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging test helps doctors examine internal organs and structures in these areas. |
60 | $274 | $1,884 |
| CT scan of chest, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest area that uses X-rays to create detailed images without the use of contrast dye. |
54 | $115 | $796 |
| Foot X-ray, 3+ views An X-ray imaging test of the foot that captures at least three different views to evaluate the bones and joints. |
50 | $27 | $231 |
| 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. |
46 | $27 | $225 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
44 | $31 | $240 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
39 | $36 | $458 |
| 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. |
35 | $38 | $274 |
| Wrist X-ray, minimum 3 views An imaging test using X-rays to capture at least three different angles of the wrist bones and joints. |
32 | $33 | $229 |
| CT scan of head blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head. |
29 | $213 | $1,503 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
29 | $109 | $1,007 |
| MRI of middle spinal canal, without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the middle section of the spinal canal. It is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
29 | $135 | $1,133 |
| X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
28 | $26 | $264 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the abdominal and pelvic organs. The procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
28 | $144 | $1,090 |
| MRI of lower spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the lower spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
26 | $84 | $587 |
| CT scan of neck soft tissue with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the soft tissues in the neck. |
25 | $161 | $1,117 |
| CT scan of neck blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses dye to visualize the blood vessels in the neck. This imaging test helps examine the structure and flow within the neck's vascular system. |
21 | $148 | $1,503 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and structures. |
17 | $24 | $220 |
| Ankle X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle that captures at least three different angles to evaluate the bones and joints. |
17 | $32 | $279 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
17 | $92 | $610 |
| CT scan of head, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain and skull. This specific scan is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
16 | $148 | $953 |
| MRI of upper spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
16 | $84 | $587 |
| X-ray for bone length assessment An X-ray image is taken to measure and evaluate the length of bones. |
15 | $40 | $263 |
| MRI of eye socket, face, and/or neck with and without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the bones in the eye socket, face, and neck. It is performed both before and after the administration of a contrast dye to enhance the images. |
13 | $296 | $2,089 |
| MRI of head blood vessels without contrast An MRI scan that creates detailed images of the blood vessels in the head without using contrast dye. |
13 | $179 | $1,321 |
| X-ray of finger, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of a finger using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
13 | $29 | $220 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis using contrast dye before and after administration to visualize internal structures. |
13 | $310 | $2,111 |
| 3D radiographic procedure with computerized image postprocessing A radiographic imaging procedure that creates three-dimensional images using computerized processing of the captured data. |
13 | $29 | $204 |
| MRI of spinal canal with and without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the central spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
12 | $88 | $587 |
| MRI of neck blood vessels without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the neck without the use of contrast dye. |
11 | $45 | $309 |
| Chest X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the chest taken from a single angle. This imaging test is used to visualize the structures within the chest cavity. |
11 | $23 | $149 |
| X-ray of entire middle and lower spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 2 to 3 views of the entire middle and lower spine to visualize the bones and structures in these areas. |
11 | $58 | $412 |
| CT scan of middle spine, without contrast A CT scan of the middle spine performed without the use of contrast dye. This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the vertebrae and surrounding structures. |
11 | $109 | $780 |
| 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. |
11 | $31 | $199 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
11 | $25 | $175 |
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.
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$28,068
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $9,356/year across 3 years
Top 5% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
12
Companies
23
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.
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$27,764 (98.9%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$283 (1.0%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$21 (0.1%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$27,764
2019
$193
2018
$112
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Alphatec Spine, Inc
$27,764
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Alphatec Spine, Inc
$27,764
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$80
EISAI INC.
$54
Amgen Inc.
$24
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$24
Foundation Medicine, Inc.
$23
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$21
Eisai Inc.
$20
Pharmacyclics LLC, An AbbVie Company
$18
CSL Behring
$15
West Therapeutics Development, LLC
$14
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$11
Top 3 companies account for 99.4% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Blincyto · FERAHEME · FOUNDATIONONE · Imbruvica · KEYTRUDA · Lazanda · Lenvima · Nexavar · Other - Miscellaneous · Turalio · Vitrakvi
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 (99%) are consulting fees, which typically reflect recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Total industry engagement is in the top 5% for radiation oncology in CA.
Geographic Context
Radiation oncologists within 10 mi
438
Per 100K population
13.3
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. Zissen is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 4% in CA), with consulting-driven industry engagement in the top 5% of CA peers, with 16 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. Zissen experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadoterate)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Zissen performed 22,000 mri contrast dye injection (gadoterate) 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. Zissen receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Zissen received a total of $28,068 from 12 companies across 23 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. Zissen's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in La Jolla?
Dr. Zissen's average Medicare payment per service is $5. 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. Zissen) 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 →
Explore related providers
Same specialty & city
Radiation Oncologists in La Jolla
Browse radiation oncologists in La Jolla ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Radiation Oncologists in CA
Radiation oncologists ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Radiation Oncologists in CA
Which CA radiation oncologists receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
Alphatec Spine, Inc Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Alphatec Spine, Inc.
By company
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
By company
EISAI INC. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from EISAI INC.
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.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology