Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Somharn Saekow, M.D.
Dermatology · La Jolla, 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. Saekow 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. Saekow
Dr. Somharn Saekow is a dermatology specialist in La Jolla, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Saekow performed 12,943 Medicare services across 5,640 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Saekow received a total of $10,118 from 32 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 564 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in dermatology. 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. Saekow 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 5% volume in CA
$10,118 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗12,943
Medicare services
Top 5% in CA for dermatology
5,640
Unique beneficiaries
$47
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~681 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
5,323 | $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. |
1,670 | $66 | $248 |
| 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. |
1,320 | $39 | $266 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
844 | $74 | $414 |
| 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. |
521 | $89 | $458 |
| Amniotic membrane graft, per square centimeter Application of processed amniotic membrane tissue to a wound or surgical site. The tissue is measured and billed based on the surface area applied. |
446 | $107 | $288 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
427 | $1 | $8 |
| 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. |
358 | $99 | $350 |
| 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. |
351 | $45 | $205 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 5-10 minutes A phone conversation with a physician lasting between 5 and 10 minutes to discuss medical matters. |
198 | $47 | $156 |
| 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. |
190 | $43 | $156 |
| 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. |
135 | $76 | $305 |
| Complicated wound repair, scalp/arms/legs, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters in length. |
111 | $359 | $1,699 |
| 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. |
93 | $125 | $1,097 |
| Drug injection, under skin or into muscle A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance via injection into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle. |
79 | $12 | $46 |
| Aspiration of abscess, blood, or cyst A procedure to remove fluid, pus, or blood from an abscess, hematoma, or cyst using a needle. |
71 | $91 | $512 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion measuring between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters located on the trunk, arms, or legs. |
70 | $145 | $765 |
| Skin tag removal, 1-15 tags This procedure involves the removal of one to fifteen skin tags. It is a minor surgical intervention to excise these benign growths from the skin. |
66 | $47 | $357 |
| 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. |
65 | $401 | $1,872 |
| 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. |
64 | $115 | $709 |
| Complicated wound repair of trunk, 2.6-7.5 cm A surgical procedure to close a complex wound on the trunk that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters in length. |
52 | $323 | $1,594 |
| Destruction of 15 or more precancerous skin growths This procedure involves the removal or destruction of fifteen or more precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to treat abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
49 | $142 | $674 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The lesion treated measures between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
47 | $153 | $811 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
44 | $61 | $387 |
| Injection into skin growths, 1-7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into one to seven skin growths. |
34 | $36 | $225 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters on the body, arms, or legs. |
29 | $108 | $970 |
| Punch biopsy of first skin growth A small, circular piece of skin is removed from a skin growth using a circular blade. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination. |
28 | $99 | $514 |
| 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. |
26 | $48 | $201 |
| Skin substitute graft application, 25 sq cm or less Application of a skin substitute graft to a wound on the trunk, arms, or legs covering 25 square centimeters or less. |
25 | $108 | $612 |
| Punch biopsy of additional skin growth A small circular tool is used to remove a sample of an extra skin growth for laboratory examination. |
22 | $51 | $239 |
| 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. |
20 | $211 | $1,221 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 1.1 to 2.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
20 | $112 | $1,000 |
| Complicated wound repair, each additional 5 cm or less This code covers the additional work for a complex surgical repair of a wound on the scalp, arms, or legs when the repair extends beyond the initial measurement. It is billed for each incremental 5-centimeter segment added to the primary procedure. |
18 | $110 | $497 |
| 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. |
17 | $124 | $453 |
| All potassium hydroxide (koh) preparations | 17 | $6 | $15 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 2.1 to 3.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
16 | $146 | $1,163 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth of scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, 2.1-3.0 cm | 14 | $126 | $825 |
| Lip biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the lip for laboratory examination. |
14 | $91 | $487 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin lesion located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The lesion treated measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters in diameter. |
13 | $205 | $951 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 11-20 minutes A phone conversation with a physician lasting between 11 and 20 minutes. |
13 | $77 | $248 |
| 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. |
12 | $867 | $3,863 |
| Surgical removal of facial skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The size of the removed tissue is between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
11 | $118 | $1,058 |
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 ↗$10,118
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,445/year across 7 years
Top 17% in CA for dermatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
32
Companies
564
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
$9,951 (98.3%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$167 (1.7%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$4,038
2023
$2,665
2022
$1,179
2021
$480
2020
$403
2019
$770
2018
$583
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$521
ABBVIE INC.
$461
Incyte Corporation
$328
GENZYME CORPORATION
$326
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$262
LEO Pharma Inc.
$253
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$248
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$213
Amgen Inc.
$211
Lilly USA, LLC
$189
Acera Surgical, Inc.
$171
PFIZER INC.
$170
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$151
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$107
UCB, Inc.
$89
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$86
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$79
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$73
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$35
ConvaTec Inc.
$23
Almirall LLC
$21
LifeNet Health
$21
Top 3 companies account for 32.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$2,253
GENZYME CORPORATION
$996
ABBVIE INC.
$654
Amgen Inc.
$581
Lilly USA, LLC
$580
LEO Pharma Inc.
$473
Incyte Corporation
$467
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$455
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$449
PFIZER INC.
$437
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$408
Acera Surgical, Inc.
$361
AbbVie Inc.
$297
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$267
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$193
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$183
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$166
UCB, Inc.
$112
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$111
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$109
AbbVie, Inc.
$107
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$106
DERMIRA, INC.
$78
Almirall LLC
$59
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$50
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$35
Celgene Corporation
$24
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$24
ConvaTec Inc.
$23
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
$22
LifeNet Health
$21
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$19
Top 3 companies account for 38.6% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ADBRY · AKLIEF · AMZEEQ · Absorica LD · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DERMATITIS - DISEASE · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · EBGLYSS · EPIDUO FORTE · EUCRISA · Enbrel · GRAFIX PL · HUMIRA · Humira · ILUMYA · ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) injection · INNOVAMATRIX AC · Ilumya · JUBLIA · Klisyri · OPZELURA · Otezla · QBREXZA · REMICADE · RHOFADE · RINVOQ · Restrata Wound Matrix · SILIQ · SKYRIZI · SPEVIGO · SYMTUZA · Seysara · Skyrizi · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · TheraGenesis Wound Matrix · Tremfya · VTAMA · Winlevi · YCANTH · Zoryve
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 (98%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
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. Saekow is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 5% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 17% 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. Saekow experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Saekow performed 5,323 destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 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. Saekow receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Saekow received a total of $10,118 from 32 companies across 564 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. Saekow's costs compare to other dermatologists in La Jolla?
Dr. Saekow's average Medicare payment per service is $47. 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. Saekow) 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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