Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Melissa Watcher, M.D.
Dermatology · Newport Beach, 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. Watcher 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. Watcher
Dr. Melissa Watcher is a dermatology specialist in Newport Beach, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Watcher performed 5,135 Medicare services across 2,436 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Watcher received a total of $9,297 from 34 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 352 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. Watcher 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 24% volume in CA
$9,297 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗5,135
Medicare services
Top 24% in CA for dermatology
2,436
Unique beneficiaries
$52
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~270 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. |
2,346 | $6 | $10 |
| 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. |
998 | $67 | $126 |
| 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. |
696 | $48 | $97 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
250 | $76 | $150 |
| 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. |
118 | $92 | $166 |
| 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. |
87 | $145 | $244 |
| 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. |
85 | $83 | $155 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin growth located on the trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters. |
76 | $113 | $214 |
| 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. |
73 | $88 | $178 |
| 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. |
62 | $556 | $965 |
| 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. |
48 | $46 | $74 |
| 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. |
47 | $45 | $79 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 46 | $381 | $592 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
45 | $1 | $6 |
| 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. |
37 | $154 | $257 |
| 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. |
18 | $263 | $679 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm This procedure involves the removal or destruction of a cancerous skin growth measuring 0.6 to 1.0 centimeters. It is performed on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
18 | $136 | $239 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 0.6-1.0 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 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters in diameter. |
18 | $149 | $258 |
| 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. |
15 | $528 | $908 |
| 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. |
14 | $252 | $616 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
14 | $80 | $140 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
13 | $270 | $440 |
| 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. |
11 | $112 | $352 |
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 ↗$9,297
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,328/year across 7 years
Top 18% in CA for dermatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
34
Companies
352
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
$9,154 (98.5%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$143 (1.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,807
2023
$1,441
2022
$1,276
2021
$933
2020
$493
2019
$1,879
2018
$1,468
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$761
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$221
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$175
Incyte Corporation
$111
PFIZER INC.
$104
GENZYME CORPORATION
$103
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$80
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$60
UCB, Inc.
$39
Biofrontera Inc.
$28
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$28
Amgen Inc.
$25
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$23
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$23
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$20
MAYNE PHARMA COMMERCIAL LLC
$6
Top 3 companies account for 64.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$1,139
ABBVIE INC.
$1,030
AbbVie Inc.
$854
PFIZER INC.
$806
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$638
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$562
LEO Pharma Inc.
$516
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$514
AbbVie, Inc.
$456
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$427
Lilly USA, LLC
$408
GENZYME CORPORATION
$250
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$221
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$218
Incyte Corporation
$209
Amgen Inc.
$160
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$141
Almirall LLC
$131
Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$113
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$105
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$69
Celgene Corporation
$45
UCB, Inc.
$39
PruGen, Inc. Pharmaceuticals
$32
Allergan, Inc.
$29
Biofrontera Inc.
$28
EPI Health, LLC
$28
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$23
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$22
Sebela Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$21
Sandoz Inc.
$21
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$18
Boston Scientific Corporation
$15
MAYNE PHARMA COMMERCIAL LLC
$6
Top 3 companies account for 32.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
0.25% · ABSORICA · ABSORICA (isotretinoin) · ADBRY · ALDARA · AMELUZ · Absorica LD · BOTOX · BRYHALI · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · CLODERM · COSENTYX · Cabtreo · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · EFUDEX · ENSTILAR · EPIDUO FORTE · EUCRISA · Enbrel · HALOG (Halcinonide Cream · HALOG OINTMENT (Halcinonide Ointment · HUMIRA · Humira · ILUMYA · JUBLIA · KERYDIN · LIBTAYO · LITFULO · NAFTIN · OPZELURA · Otezla · PICATO · REMICADE · RINVOQ · SILIQ · SKYRIZI · SOOLANTRA · SPEVIGO · Seysara · Skyrizi · TALTZ · TOPICORT (desoximetasone) Topical Spray · TREMFYA · Tremfya · ULTRAVATE (halobetasol propionate) lotion · USP) 0.1% · VTAMA · WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16 · Winlevi · YCANTH · ZILXI · 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
257
Per 100K population
8.1
County median income
$113,702
Nearest hospital
COLLEGE HOSPITAL COSTA MESA
2.8 mi
2.8 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. Watcher is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 24% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 18% 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. Watcher experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Watcher performed 2,346 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. Watcher receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Watcher received a total of $9,297 from 34 companies across 352 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. Watcher's costs compare to other dermatologists in Newport Beach?
Dr. Watcher's average Medicare payment per service is $52. 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. Watcher) 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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