Dr. Kakarla Chalam, MD
What this data tells you about Dr. Chalam
Dr. Kakarla Chalam is an ophthalmology specialist in Loma Linda, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Chalam performed 2,421 Medicare services across 1,342 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Chalam received a total of $1,746 from 8 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 13 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in ophthalmology. 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. Chalam 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.
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retinal imaging (OCT scan) This procedure involves imaging the retina to visualize its structure. It is used to examine the back of the eye. |
875 | $30 | $140 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, established patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a patient who has previously been seen by the provider. |
731 | $91 | $380 |
| Retinal photography (fundus photo) This procedure involves taking photographs of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is used to document the condition of the eye's interior structures. |
134 | $27 | $240 |
| Eye injection for retinal disease A procedure involving the administration of medication directly into the eye. |
129 | $89 | $403 |
| Retinal angiography with dye injection This procedure uses a special camera to examine the blood vessels in the retina after a dye has been injected into the body. |
112 | $110 | $415 |
| Compounded drug, not otherwise classified A medication prepared specifically for an individual patient by a pharmacist or physician, tailored to meet unique needs that cannot be fulfilled by commercially available products. |
95 | $72 | $200 |
| 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. |
76 | $104 | $320 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
66 | $1 | $20 |
| Retinal membrane and internal limiting membrane removal A surgical procedure to remove a membrane from the retina along with the internal limiting membrane of the retina. |
45 | $924 | $4,435 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, new patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a new patient. |
39 | $105 | $435 |
| Complex detached retina repair with eye fluid drainage A surgical procedure to repair a detached retina and drain fluid located between the lens and the retina. |
27 | $1,072 | $5,110 |
| Laser vitreolysis A laser procedure used to destroy fluid in the vitreous of the eye, located between the lens and the retina. |
25 | $775 | $3,660 |
| Retinal laser destruction of growth A laser procedure used to destroy abnormal growths in the retina. |
22 | $397 | $2,030 |
| Laser removal of recurring cataract A laser procedure to remove a recurring cataract within the lens capsule. |
20 | $274 | $970 |
| Laser destruction of vitreous and retina A laser procedure used to destroy fluid in the vitreous and tissue across the entire retina. |
14 | $841 | $4,170 |
| Injection into eye membrane A procedure involving the injection of a drug or substance into the membrane that covers the eyeball. |
11 | $39 | $290 |
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2020 ↗Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Payments by company (2020)
All-time payments by company (2018-2020) ›
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Most payments (53%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
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 2020 |
| 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. Chalam is a mixed practice specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, 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. Chalam experienced with retinal imaging (oct scan)?
Does Dr. Chalam receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
How do Dr. Chalam's costs compare to other ophthalmologists in Loma Linda?
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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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