Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Ben Behnam, M.D.
Optician · Los Angeles, 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. Behnam 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. Behnam
Dr. Ben Behnam is an optician specialist in Los Angeles, CA, with 18 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Behnam performed 8,227 Medicare services across 2,366 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Behnam received a total of $5,745 from 33 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 220 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. 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. Behnam 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.
✓ 18 years in practice
▲ Top 10% volume in CA
$5,745 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗8,227
Medicare services
Top 10% in CA for optician
2,366
Unique beneficiaries
$59
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~457 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. |
3,462 | $6 | $22 |
| 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. |
1,040 | $78 | $100 |
| Puraply AM application per square centimeter Application of Puraply AM dressing to the skin. The charge is calculated based on the surface area treated. |
905 | $84 | $120 |
| 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. |
490 | $47 | $95 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
396 | $88 | $130 |
| 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. |
350 | $145 | $185 |
| 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. |
319 | $106 | $141 |
| 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. |
210 | $46 | $75 |
| 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. |
200 | $89 | $140 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
192 | $1 | $5 |
| 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. |
151 | $99 | $133 |
| Injection into skin growths, more than 7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into more than seven skin growths. |
116 | $56 | $87 |
| Simple drainage of skin abscess A minor procedure to drain a localized collection of pus from the skin. The abscess is opened to allow the fluid to escape and promote healing. |
64 | $109 | $140 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
58 | $462 | $735 |
| 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. |
48 | $289 | $491 |
| 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. |
40 | $338 | $460 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 31 | $349 | $435 |
| Injection into skin growths, 1-7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into one to seven skin growths. |
30 | $38 | $71 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks A procedure to remove a growth from the trunk, arms, or legs and send 1 to 5 tissue samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination. |
29 | $509 | $690 |
| 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. |
24 | $248 | $550 |
| 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. |
21 | $127 | $320 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The growth measured between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
17 | $79 | $193 |
| Skin graft repair, 10.1-30 sq cm A surgical procedure to repair wounds on the forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth, neck, underarms, genitals, hands, or feet by transferring skin. The graft covers an area between 10.1 and 30.0 square centimeters. |
17 | $831 | $1,060 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
17 | $58 | $121 |
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 ↗$5,745
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $821/year across 7 years
Top 21% in CA for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
33
Companies
220
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
$5,745 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$2,395
2023
$1,121
2022
$610
2021
$231
2020
$348
2019
$506
2018
$535
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Organogenesis Inc.
$1,632
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$243
PFIZER INC.
$166
ABBVIE INC.
$100
LEO Pharma Inc.
$81
Lilly USA, LLC
$55
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$41
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$36
MIMEDX Group, Inc.
$28
UCB, Inc.
$14
Top 3 companies account for 85.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Organogenesis Inc.
$1,766
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$653
PFIZER INC.
$509
Lilly USA, LLC
$372
LEO Pharma Inc.
$280
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$273
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$215
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$199
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$158
AbbVie, Inc.
$155
GENZYME CORPORATION
$130
ABBVIE INC.
$123
AbbVie Inc.
$102
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$99
STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
$92
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$92
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$78
Amgen Inc.
$64
UCB, Inc.
$58
Journey Medical Corporation
$38
Almirall LLC
$37
EPI Health, LLC
$34
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$34
MIMEDX Group, Inc.
$28
Integra LifeSciences Corporation
$23
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$21
Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$20
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$19
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$17
Genentech USA, Inc.
$16
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
Celgene Corporation
$14
Incyte Corporation
$14
Top 3 companies account for 51.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
0.25% · ABSORICA · ABSORICA LD · ADBRY · ALTRENO · ARAZLO · Absorica LD · BIAFINE · BOTOX · BRYHALI · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · COSENTYX · Cimzia · Clindamycin Phosphate and Benzoyl Peroxide · DORYX · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · EBGLYSS · ENSTILAR · EPIDUO FORTE · EUCRISA · Humira · ILUMYA · ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) injection · Integra · JUBLIA · Klisyri · LIBTAYO · NUZYRA · OLUMIANT · OPZELURA · Olux · Otezla · PICATO · PURAPLY WOUND MATRIX · Puraply · QBREXZA · REMICADE · RINVOQ · Rituxan · SILIQ · SIVEXTRO · SKYRIZI · Seysara · Sitavig · Skyrizi · TALTZ · TOPICORT (desoximetasone) Topical Spray · TREMFYA · VTAMA · Winlevi · XTRAC · 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 (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Opticians within 10 mi
1,524
Per 100K population
15.5
County median income
$87,760
Nearest hospital
VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
1.1 mi
1.1 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. Behnam is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 10% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 18 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. Behnam experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Behnam performed 3,462 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. Behnam receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Behnam received a total of $5,745 from 33 companies across 220 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. Behnam's costs compare to other opticians in Los Angeles?
Dr. Behnam's average Medicare payment per service is $59. 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. Behnam) 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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