Medicare Enrolled
Dr. William Mealer, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery · Manhattan Beach, CA
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
Speaking/Promotional
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. Mealer 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. Mealer
Dr. William Mealer is an orthopedic surgery specialist in Manhattan Beach, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Mealer performed 6,273 Medicare services across 1,699 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Mealer received a total of $1,924 from 23 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 43 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in orthopedic surgery. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Mealer 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 7% volume in CA
$1,924 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗6,273
Medicare services
Top 7% in CA for orthopedic surgery
1,699
Unique beneficiaries
$39
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~330 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint lubricant injection (TriVisc) An injection of hyaluronan or a derivative into a joint space. The dose specified is 1 milligram. |
2,403 | $7 | $90 |
| 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. |
840 | $71 | $419 |
| Manual therapy (hands-on treatment), per 15 min | 409 | $16 | $158 |
| Ultrasound-guided large joint aspiration or injection This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide the removal of fluid from or the injection of medication into a large joint. |
300 | $88 | $545 |
| Physical therapy exercise, per 15 min A therapy session using exercises to improve strength, endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. Each 15-minute unit is billed separately. |
284 | $20 | $172 |
| Betamethasone steroid injection An injection containing a combination of betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. |
284 | $5 | $29 |
| 3D radiographic procedure with computerized image postprocessing A radiographic imaging procedure that creates three-dimensional images using computerized processing of the captured data. |
216 | $36 | $408 |
| Orthovisc intra-articular injection An injection of hyaluronan or its derivative into a joint space to provide lubrication and cushioning. |
156 | $100 | $1,176 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
150 | $56 | $352 |
| 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. |
116 | $107 | $606 |
| MRI of leg joint, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of a joint in the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. |
115 | $129 | $1,329 |
| Application of low energy heat This procedure involves the application of low energy heat to the body. It is a therapeutic modality used to deliver heat to specific areas. |
115 | $5 | $36 |
| Neuromuscular re-education therapy, per 15 min A therapy procedure designed to re-educate the functional connection between the brain, nerves, and muscles. It is billed in 15-minute increments. |
95 | $26 | $199 |
| Acupuncture, initial 15 minutes This procedure involves the insertion of needles into specific points on the body for an initial 15-minute session. |
87 | $32 | $242 |
| Acupuncture, each additional 15 minutes This code represents an additional 15-minute session of acupuncture treatment beyond the initial session. |
87 | $24 | $181 |
| MRI of arm joint, without contrast An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the arm joint. This specific procedure is performed without the use of a contrast dye. |
76 | $130 | $1,333 |
| 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. |
63 | $28 | $192 |
| Acupuncture with electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes This procedure involves inserting needles into specific points on the body and applying mild electrical currents to stimulate them. It is performed for the first 15 minutes of the treatment session. |
57 | $38 | $258 |
| Acupuncture with electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minutes This code represents an additional 15-minute unit of acupuncture treatment that includes the application of electrical stimulation. |
57 | $30 | $204 |
| MRI of lower spine, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the lower spinal canal that does not use contrast dye to create detailed images of the spine. |
51 | $113 | $1,257 |
| 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. |
50 | $37 | $228 |
| 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. |
44 | $89 | $601 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
34 | $42 | $254 |
| MRI of upper spine without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal that does not use contrast dye. This imaging test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the spine. |
20 | $114 | $1,255 |
| Partial collarbone removal via endoscope This procedure involves the surgical removal of a portion of the collarbone (clavicle) using an endoscope, a small camera inserted through a tiny incision to guide the surgeon. |
19 | $437 | $3,622 |
| Arthroscopic shoulder surgery for bone shaving and ligament repair A minimally invasive procedure using a small camera to shave part of the shoulder bone and repair a ligament. |
19 | $142 | $914 |
| Arthroscopic shoulder debridement A minimally invasive procedure to remove damaged or excess tissue from the shoulder joint using a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions. |
18 | $105 | $3,356 |
| 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. |
18 | $28 | $190 |
| 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. |
17 | $37 | $220 |
| Knee arthroscopy with synovectomy A minimally invasive procedure using a small camera to remove the inflamed lining of the knee joint. |
16 | $572 | $3,699 |
| Arthroscopic removal of knee cartilage A minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove damaged or loose pieces of cartilage from the knee joint using a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions. |
16 | $127 | $3,073 |
| Evaluation for physical therapy, typically 20 minutes | 15 | $88 | $484 |
| 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. |
14 | $34 | $220 |
| 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. |
12 | $40 | $263 |
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.
0.3% high complexity
56.7% medium
43.0% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$1,924
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $275/year across 7 years
Bottom 43% in CA for orthopedic surgery
23
Companies
43
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.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$1,166 (60.6%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$757 (39.4%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$71
2023
$45
2022
$57
2021
$31
2020
$257
2019
$210
2018
$1,252
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$35
Highridge Medical LLC
$20
Linvatec Corporation
$16
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Micromed Inc
$1,145
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.
$113
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$91
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$73
Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$66
Globus Medical, Inc.
$45
Vertos Medical, Inc.
$42
Horizon Pharma plc
$42
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$35
Integra LifeSciences Corporation
$35
TerSera Therapeutics LLC
$27
DJO, LLC
$24
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$22
Vericel Corporation
$21
Highridge Medical LLC
$20
Orthogenrx Inc.
$19
Bioventus LLC
$18
Linvatec Corporation
$16
Ethicon US, LLC
$16
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$16
Nevro Corp.
$13
Fidia Pharma USA Inc.
$13
Boston Scientific Corporation
$12
Top 3 companies account for 70.1% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
BIOBRACE 23MM · Biomet EBI Bone Healing System · CMF OL1000 · Clavicular Fracture Fixation · DUEXIS · EUFLEXXA · EXPAREL · Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System · FREEDOM WRIST · GENERAL - THERAPIES · GenVisc 850 · HYMOVIS · MACI · ORTHOVISC · PEAK · PENNSAID · QMIIZ ODT · STRATAFIX · SYNVISC-ONE · Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System · XIAFLEX · mild Device Kit
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 →
The majority of payments (61%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in orthopedic surgery and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware.
Geographic Context
Orthopedic surgeons within 10 mi
501
Per 100K population
5.1
County median income
$87,760
Nearest hospital
PROVIDENCE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY MED CTR TORRANCE
4.6 mi
4.6 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. Mealer is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 7% in CA), with speaking/promotional industry engagement, 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. Mealer experienced with joint lubricant injection (trivisc)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Mealer performed 2,403 joint lubricant injection (trivisc) 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. Mealer receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Mealer received a total of $1,924 from 23 companies across 43 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. Mealer's costs compare to other orthopedic surgeons in Manhattan Beach?
Dr. Mealer's average Medicare payment per service is $39. 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. Mealer) 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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