Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Ross Christensen, M.D.
Vascular & Interventional Radiology Physician · 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. Christensen 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. Christensen
Dr. Ross Christensen is a vascular & interventional radiology physician in La Jolla, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Christensen performed 2,399 Medicare services across 2,144 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Christensen received a total of $21,914 from 17 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 66 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in vascular & interventional radiology physician. 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. Christensen 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 26% volume in CA
$21,914 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗2,399
Medicare services
Top 26% in CA for vascular & interventional radiology physician
2,144
Unique beneficiaries
$14
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~126 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
1,481 | $7 | $47 |
| 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. |
158 | $20 | $143 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
131 | $7 | $47 |
| Sedation by physician, initial 15 minutes Administration of a drug to induce depression of consciousness by the physician performing a procedure. This code covers the initial 15 minutes of sedation for patients aged 5 years or older. |
52 | $10 | $176 |
| 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. |
47 | $67 | $388 |
| 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. |
38 | $6 | $46 |
| 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. |
29 | $28 | $214 |
| 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. |
28 | $26 | $206 |
| 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. |
25 | $29 | $213 |
| Radiologist review of CT-guided needle placement A radiologist reviews the CT imaging used to guide the placement of a needle. |
24 | $58 | $375 |
| 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. |
23 | $40 | $289 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for central vein access device Use of live X-ray imaging to guide the placement or removal of a central vein access device. |
23 | $14 | $97 |
| 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. |
22 | $28 | $143 |
| Elbow X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the elbow joint that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
21 | $5 | $46 |
| Ultrasound guidance for blood vessel access Use of ultrasound imaging to help locate and access a blood vessel. This guidance assists healthcare providers in performing procedures such as inserting IV lines or drawing blood. |
21 | $11 | $72 |
| 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. |
20 | $5 | $42 |
| 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. |
20 | $25 | $224 |
| 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. |
20 | $129 | $582 |
| Swallowing function imaging Imaging used to evaluate how well a person can swallow. This procedure visualizes the swallowing process to assess function. |
19 | $21 | $138 |
| 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. |
19 | $4 | $176 |
| Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy, first lesion A biopsy procedure where a thin needle is used to collect tissue samples from a growth, guided by ultrasound imaging. This code applies to the first lesion or mass sampled during the session. |
18 | $56 | $545 |
| X-ray of upper arm, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper arm that captures at least two different views to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
18 | $6 | $42 |
| 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. |
16 | $9 | $70 |
| 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. |
16 | $6 | $49 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
15 | $43 | $433 |
| 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. |
14 | $31 | $244 |
| X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the thigh bone using at least two different angles to visualize the bone structure. |
13 | $7 | $47 |
| Insertion of tunneled central venous catheter for infusion, age 5+ A surgical procedure to place a long-term catheter into a large vein for delivering medications or fluids. The catheter is tunneled under the skin to reduce infection risk and provide stable access for patients aged 5 and older. |
12 | $208 | $3,519 |
| X-ray for bone length assessment An X-ray image is taken to measure and evaluate the length of bones. |
12 | $39 | $263 |
| Infusion tube insertion with imaging guidance A radiologist inserts an infusion tube into the body while using imaging guidance to ensure proper placement and reviews the procedure. |
11 | $65 | $1,628 |
| 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. |
11 | $37 | $261 |
| 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. |
11 | $26 | $169 |
| 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. |
11 | $21 | $152 |
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.
1.0% high complexity
7.4% medium
91.7% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$21,914
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $3,131/year across 7 years
Top 18% in CA for vascular & interventional radiology physician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
17
Companies
66
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
$21,914 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$290
2023
$19,612
2022
$19
2021
$84
2020
$11
2019
$611
2018
$1,287
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Philips North America LLC
$150
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$140
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
$12,019
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$7,962
Penumbra, Inc.
$969
FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation
$234
Biocompatibles, Inc.
$197
Philips North America LLC
$150
GE HEALTHCARE
$113
Sirtex Medical Inc
$69
GE HealthCare
$45
Cook Medical LLC
$35
Medtronic, Inc.
$24
Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
$23
CARDIVA MEDICAL, INC.
$22
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
$15
EISAI INC.
$15
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$11
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 95.6% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(4539) CT AMI Und · (8306) Azurion 7 B20 · (9547) IGT Systems Undivided · (O47) EI IntelliSpace PACS value add options · (U94) EI iSite PACS · ARTIS icono biplane · Abre · Artis icono floor · Cardiva VASCADE 6/7F VCS · Cook Medical Catheters · Diamondback Peripheral · GORE VIABAHN VBX Balloon Expandable Endo · IN.PACT Admiral · Indigo · Lenvima · MAGNETOM Aera · MAGNETOM Free.Max · MAGNETOM Sola · NUZYRA · OASIS · Penumbra Ruby Coil · Penumbra System · SCENARIA VIEW · SIR-Spheres Microspheres · SOMATOM Perspective · SOMATOM X.cite · THERASPHERE - BIO · US Options and Upgds · ZILVER PTX
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
Vascular & interventional radiology physicians within 10 mi
49
Per 100K population
1.5
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. Christensen is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 26% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 18% of CA peers, 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. Christensen experienced with chest x-ray, 1 view?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Christensen performed 1,481 chest x-ray, 1 view 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. Christensen receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Christensen received a total of $21,914 from 17 companies across 66 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. Christensen's costs compare to other vascular & interventional radiology physicians in La Jolla?
Dr. Christensen's average Medicare payment per service is $14. 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. Christensen) 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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