Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Stephen Liu, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · Modesto, 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. Liu 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 →
Are you Dr. Liu?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Liu
Dr. Stephen Liu is a radiation oncology specialist in Modesto, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Liu performed 3,698 Medicare services across 2,400 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Liu received a total of $3,316 from 11 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 106 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiation oncology. 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. Liu 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 39% volume in CA
$3,316 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗3,698
Medicare services
Top 39% in CA for radiation oncology
2,400
Unique beneficiaries
$611
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~195 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
1,020 | $42 | $83 |
| Additional sedation, per 15 minutes Administration of a drug to deepen sedation during a procedure. This code covers each additional 15-minute increment of sedation beyond the initial period. |
541 | $9 | $18 |
| Hemodialysis circuit intervention with balloon dilation A procedure to insert a needle or tube into a hemodialysis circuit and dilate the dialysis segment using a balloon, with radiological review. |
479 | $995 | $1,968 |
| 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. |
202 | $85 | $148 |
| Balloon dilation of dialysis access with radiologist review A minimally invasive procedure to widen a narrowed section of a dialysis access vessel using a balloon catheter. The procedure includes review by a radiologist to ensure proper placement and effectiveness. |
137 | $499 | $1,178 |
| 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. |
102 | $33 | $70 |
| Removal of tunneled central venous tube This procedure involves the removal of a catheter that has been surgically placed under the skin and threaded into a large vein. |
97 | $91 | $247 |
| 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. |
91 | $67 | $132 |
| Hemodialysis circuit intervention with stent placement A radiologist inserts a needle or tube into the hemodialysis circuit and places a stent in the dialysis segment while reviewing the procedure. |
84 | $3,665 | $9,124 |
| Balloon dilation of vein, initial vein A procedure to widen a vein using a balloon catheter, with radiologist review. |
75 | $1,121 | $4,395 |
| Injection into lower spine canal with imaging guidance A procedure where a substance is injected into the lower part of the spinal canal. The injection is performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
68 | $209 | $393 |
| Hemodialysis circuit clot removal and vessel dilation This procedure involves removing or dissolving a blood clot within the hemodialysis circuit and using a balloon to widen the dialysis access segment, with imaging review by a radiologist. |
67 | $1,925 | $3,669 |
| 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. |
57 | $640 | $1,348 |
| Replacement of tunneled central venous tube This procedure involves replacing an existing tunneled central venous catheter with a new one. The new tube is inserted through the same tunnel under the skin to maintain vascular access. |
51 | $474 | $1,651 |
| 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. |
50 | $88 | $131 |
| Central venous port insertion A surgical procedure to place a small reservoir under the skin for long-term access to the bloodstream. The device is connected to a vein to allow for repeated medication administration or blood draws. |
44 | $829 | $1,890 |
| Hemodialysis clot removal, balloon dilation, and stent placement This procedure involves removing or dissolving a blood clot within the hemodialysis circuit, dilating the dialysis segment with a balloon, and placing a stent, all under radiological review. |
41 | $4,583 | $11,044 |
| Arterial plaque removal, initial vessel A procedure to remove plaque buildup from an artery in the leg. This is performed on the first vessel treated during the session. |
41 | $6,524 | $15,846 |
| Deep bone biopsy using needle or trocar A procedure to obtain a tissue sample from deep within the bone using a needle or trocar for examination. |
40 | $317 | $1,604 |
| Balloon dilation of leg artery, each additional vessel This procedure involves using a balloon catheter to widen an additional artery in the leg. It is performed after the initial vessel has been treated. |
40 | $691 | $1,786 |
| Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement Use of real-time X-ray imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
40 | $94 | $198 |
| Arterial plaque removal in leg A procedure to remove plaque buildup from the arteries in the leg to restore blood flow. |
34 | $5,084 | $16,008 |
| Mechanical removal of obstructive material from central venous tube This procedure involves the mechanical clearing of blockages or debris from a central venous catheter to restore its function. |
32 | $463 | $1,037 |
| Radiologist review of arm or leg artery images A radiologist reviews images of the arteries in one or both arms or legs to assess blood flow and vessel health. |
31 | $131 | $845 |
| Radiologist review of image for removal of obstructive material A radiologist reviews medical images to assist in the removal of obstructive material. |
31 | $197 | $425 |
| Balloon dilation of artery, initial vessel A procedure to widen a narrowed artery using a balloon catheter, with radiologist review of the initial vessel treated. |
25 | $1,387 | $3,469 |
| Additional blood vessel ultrasound evaluation An ultrasound exam of a blood vessel that includes a radiologist's review. This code applies to each additional vessel evaluated beyond the initial one. |
25 | $141 | $1,357 |
| Needle or tube insertion into hemodialysis circuit with radiologist review A procedure involving the insertion of a needle or tube into a hemodialysis circuit, accompanied by a review of the procedure by a radiologist. |
22 | $501 | $920 |
| Radiologist review of arm or leg artery image A radiologist reviews images of the arteries in the arm or leg. This process involves analyzing the visual data to assess the blood vessels. |
20 | $123 | $595 |
| 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. |
19 | $100 | $232 |
| Artery plaque removal and stent insertion in leg This procedure involves removing plaque buildup from leg arteries and placing stents to keep the blood vessels open. |
18 | $9,643 | $21,659 |
| Ultrasound of hemodialysis access An ultrasound imaging test used to evaluate the blood flow and structure of a hemodialysis access site. |
18 | $108 | $224 |
| Arterial plaque removal, each additional leg vessel This procedure involves the removal of plaque buildup from an additional artery in the leg during the same session. It is performed to restore blood flow in the treated vessel. |
17 | $872 | $2,164 |
| Balloon angioplasty of leg artery, initial vessel A procedure to widen a narrowed or blocked artery in the leg using a balloon catheter. This is performed on the first vessel treated during the session. |
16 | $1,770 | $8,021 |
| Ultrasound of blood vessel, initial vessel An ultrasound exam of a blood vessel that includes a radiologist's review of the initial vessel. |
12 | $816 | $3,443 |
| Dialysis access stent insertion with radiologist review A procedure to place a stent in a dialysis access vessel to maintain blood flow, performed with radiological imaging guidance and review. |
11 | $1,208 | $4,379 |
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.
7.1% high complexity
26.2% medium
66.7% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$3,316
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $474/year across 7 years
Top 15% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
11
Companies
106
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
$3,316 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$100
2023
$36
2022
$42
2021
$360
2020
$2,390
2019
$37
2018
$351
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
$32
Cook Medical LLC
$30
Medtronic, Inc.
$23
Ethicon US, LLC
$14
Top 3 companies account for 85.6% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$2,261
Medtronic, Inc.
$395
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$365
Cook Incorporated
$97
Cook Medical LLC
$59
Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.
$40
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
$32
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$21
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
$16
Ethicon US, LLC
$14
Stryker Corporation
$14
Top 3 companies account for 91.1% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Admiral Xtreme · COOK · COOK MEDICAL ZILVER PTX · FORTREX · GORE EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis · HAWKONE · HawkOne · IGT D Peripheral · IGT Devices Und · IN.PACT AV · IN.PACT Admiral · IVS - VERTEBRAL AUGMENTATION PRODUCTS · ROSEN · RotarexS 6 F x 135 cm · STRATAFIX · TORNADO · 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
Radiation oncologists within 10 mi
50
Per 100K population
9.1
County median income
$79,661
Nearest hospital
MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
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. Liu is a mixed practice specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 15% 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. Liu experienced with sedation by physician, initial 15 minutes?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Liu performed 1,020 sedation by physician, initial 15 minutes 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. Liu receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Liu received a total of $3,316 from 11 companies across 106 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. Liu's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Modesto?
Dr. Liu's average Medicare payment per service is $611. 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. Liu) 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 →
Explore related providers
Same specialty & city
Radiation Oncologists in Modesto
Browse radiation oncologists in Modesto ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Radiation Oncologists in CA
Radiation oncologists ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Radiation Oncologists in CA
Which CA radiation oncologists receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
Philips Electronics North America Corporation Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Philips Electronics North America Corporation.
By company
Medtronic, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Medtronic, Inc.
By company
Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
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.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology