Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Richard Abello, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · La Jolla, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
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. Abello 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. Abello?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Abello
Dr. Richard Abello is a radiation oncology specialist in La Jolla, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Abello performed 17,663 Medicare services across 3,151 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Abello received a total of $616 from 10 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 13 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiation oncology. 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. Abello 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.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 12% volume in CA
$616 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗17,663
Medicare services
Top 12% in CA for radiation oncology
3,151
Unique beneficiaries
$81
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~883 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
12,661 | $0 | $3 |
| Gallium Ga-68 dotatate diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of Gallium Ga-68 dotatate used for imaging. The dose specified is 0.1 millicurie. |
1,184 | $49 | $220 |
| Piflufolastat F-18 diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of the radioactive tracer piflufolastat F-18 used for imaging. The dose specified is 1 millicurie. |
501 | $475 | $1,848 |
| Technetium Tc-99m tetrofosmin diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of Technetium Tc-99m tetrofosmin used for imaging studies. |
416 | $76 | $389 |
| Fluorodeoxyglucose f-18 fdg, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 45 millicuries | 360 | $280 | $875 |
| Nuclear medicine scan from skull base to mid-thigh with CT A nuclear medicine imaging study covering the area from the base of the skull to the middle of the thighs, performed alongside a CT scan. |
343 | $1,452 | $9,375 |
| 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. |
250 | $23 | $172 |
| Nuclear stress test of heart muscle A nuclear medicine imaging test that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and during stress using a special camera. |
206 | $396 | $2,645 |
| Rubidium rb-82, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 60 millicuries | 146 | $407 | $1,823 |
| Whole body nuclear medicine scan with CT A combined imaging procedure using nuclear medicine and CT scans to visualize the entire body. |
84 | $1,455 | $9,381 |
| 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. |
82 | $98 | $796 |
| Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG A heart stress test performed using exercise or medication while an electrocardiogram is monitored under physician supervision. |
82 | $16 | $80 |
| Nuclear medicine bone and joint scan A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to examine multiple areas of the bones and joints. |
80 | $31 | $209 |
| 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. |
76 | $263 | $1,884 |
| 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. |
71 | $23 | $171 |
| Whole body bone and joint nuclear medicine scan A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to create pictures of the entire skeleton and joints. This scan helps evaluate bone health and detect abnormalities throughout the body. |
70 | $32 | $215 |
| 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. |
69 | $29 | $221 |
| Nuclear stress test with CT scan A nuclear medicine imaging test that evaluates blood flow in the heart muscle at rest and during stress, performed alongside a concurrent CT scan. |
69 | $1,657 | $10,599 |
| 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. |
57 | $27 | $227 |
| 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. |
55 | $32 | $246 |
| 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. |
50 | $23 | $200 |
| Nuclear medicine lung circulation study A nuclear medicine test that uses a small amount of radioactive material to create images of blood flow through the lungs. |
44 | $29 | $187 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
43 | $35 | $388 |
| 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. |
41 | $22 | $198 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
40 | $106 | $1,007 |
| 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. |
39 | $23 | $236 |
| 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. |
34 | $157 | $1,090 |
| 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. |
28 | $28 | $228 |
| 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. |
25 | $28 | $196 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
23 | $71 | $583 |
| Nuclear medicine liver and bile duct study with drugs A nuclear medicine imaging test to examine the liver and bile duct system using administered drugs. |
21 | $35 | $228 |
| 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 | $28 | $204 |
| Injection of radioactive material for lymph node identification A radioactive substance is injected to help locate lymph nodes during imaging procedures. |
18 | $26 | $348 |
| 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. |
18 | $19 | $143 |
| Rib X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ribs on one side of the body. The procedure includes a minimum of three different views to capture detailed images. |
18 | $24 | $249 |
| 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. |
18 | $289 | $2,111 |
| X-ray for bone length assessment An X-ray image is taken to measure and evaluate the length of bones. |
18 | $41 | $263 |
| Parathyroid nuclear medicine study with SPECT/CT A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to visualize the parathyroid glands, combined with SPECT and CT scans for detailed anatomical localization. |
18 | $57 | $395 |
| Lymphatic system nuclear medicine study A nuclear medicine imaging test used to evaluate the structure and function of the lymphatic system. |
18 | $46 | $316 |
| Nuclear medicine liver and bile duct scan A nuclear medicine imaging test to evaluate the liver and bile duct system. |
18 | $29 | $187 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower back and sacrum using at least four different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
17 | $40 | $259 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
17 | $71 | $557 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
15 | $224 | $1,522 |
| Nuclear medicine stomach emptying study A nuclear medicine test used to assess how quickly the stomach empties its contents. |
15 | $31 | $200 |
| 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. |
14 | $28 | $254 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
14 | $22 | $157 |
| 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. |
14 | $25 | $124 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck soft tissue This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the soft tissues in the head and neck area. It allows for the visualization of structures beneath the skin without using radiation. |
13 | $53 | $502 |
| SPECT/CT scan, single area A nuclear medicine imaging study that combines single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with a concurrent CT scan to create detailed images of a single body area. |
13 | $403 | $2,711 |
| SPECT/CT nuclear medicine scan, multiple areas A combined nuclear medicine and CT imaging study performed on at least two body areas or through separate acquisitions on the same day. |
13 | $74 | $523 |
| Technetium Tc-99m pyrophosphate diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of Technetium Tc-99m pyrophosphate used for imaging studies. The dose administered is up to 25 millicuries. |
13 | $45 | $200 |
| Pelvis X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the pelvic area using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
12 | $19 | $161 |
| Limited abdominal ultrasound A focused ultrasound examination of the abdomen to evaluate specific organs or areas. This procedure uses sound waves to create images of internal structures. |
12 | $45 | $453 |
| SPECT nuclear medicine scan, 1 area A nuclear medicine imaging test using a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan to create detailed images of one specific area of the body. |
12 | $327 | $2,148 |
| I-123 ioflupane diagnostic injection A diagnostic injection of I-123 ioflupane used for imaging studies, with a dose up to 5 millicuries. |
12 | $2,202 | $5,530 |
| X-ray of lower leg, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower leg using two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
11 | $27 | $187 |
| Swallowing function imaging Imaging used to evaluate how well a person can swallow. This procedure visualizes the swallowing process to assess function. |
11 | $117 | $767 |
| Complete pelvic ultrasound An imaging test using sound waves to create pictures of the organs and structures within the pelvis. |
11 | $68 | $500 |
| Bone scan with multiple time points A nuclear medicine imaging test that captures images of the bones at various intervals to assess bone health and detect abnormalities. |
11 | $40 | $256 |
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 ↗$616
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $103/year across 6 years
Top 30% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
10
Companies
13
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
$616 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$30
2023
$241
2022
$125
2020
$17
2019
$41
2018
$162
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc.
$30
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Telix Pharmaceuticals
$241
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$125
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$66
LEICA MICROSYSTEMS INC.
$42
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$38
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$33
Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc.
$30
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$17
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$12
Advanced Accelerator Applications
$12
Top 3 companies account for 70.2% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
BALVERSA · IGT_D Coronary · ILLUCCIX · IMFINZI · KEYTRUDA · LUTATHERA (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) · NEOPROBE · OPDIVO · PYLARIFY · TAGRISSO
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
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. Abello is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 12% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 20 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. Abello experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Abello performed 12,661 contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) 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. Abello receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Abello received a total of $616 from 10 companies across 13 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. Abello's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in La Jolla?
Dr. Abello's average Medicare payment per service is $81. 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. Abello) 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
Telix Pharmaceuticals Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Telix Pharmaceuticals.
By company
Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
By company
Philips Electronics North America Corporation Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Philips Electronics North America Corporation.
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