Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Christopher Hancock, M.D.
Radiation Oncology · Palm Desert, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Consulting-driven
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. Hancock 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. Hancock
Dr. Christopher Hancock is a radiation oncology specialist in Palm Desert, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Hancock performed 33,095 Medicare services across 2,078 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Hancock received a total of $9,797 from 18 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 44 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in radiation oncology. The majority of payments are for consulting, which typically reflects recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Hancock 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 5% volume in CA
$9,797 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗33,095
Medicare services
Top 5% in CA for radiation oncology
2,078
Unique beneficiaries
$9
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,742 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI contrast dye injection (gadobutrol) | 24,161 | $0 | $10 |
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
6,860 | $0 | $1 |
| 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. |
360 | $153 | $1,200 |
| Gadobenate dimeglumine injection Administration of gadobenate dimeglumine, a contrast agent used to enhance imaging results. |
303 | $1 | $24 |
| MRI of brain with and without contrast An MRI scan of the brain using contrast dye both before and after administration to provide detailed images of brain structures. |
265 | $267 | $1,700 |
| MRI scan of brain, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging test of the brain that does not use contrast dye. This procedure creates detailed images of the brain's structure using magnetic fields and radio waves. |
244 | $163 | $1,200 |
| 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. |
168 | $137 | $1,200 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
81 | $84 | $600 |
| 3D radiographic procedure A radiographic imaging technique that creates three-dimensional representations of internal structures. |
61 | $20 | $125 |
| MRI of middle spinal canal, without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the middle section of the spinal canal. It is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
46 | $126 | $1,200 |
| CT scan of face, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the facial structures. This procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
45 | $99 | $650 |
| MRI of head blood vessels without contrast An MRI scan that creates detailed images of the blood vessels in the head without using contrast dye. |
40 | $164 | $1,200 |
| MRI of lower spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the lower spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
37 | $248 | $1,500 |
| CT scan of lower spine, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the lower spine using X-rays without the use of contrast dye. |
34 | $94 | $700 |
| MRI of upper spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the upper spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
32 | $248 | $1,500 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
30 | $28 | $216 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower back and sacrum using at least four different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
26 | $44 | $150 |
| 3D radiographic procedure with computerized image postprocessing A radiographic imaging procedure that creates three-dimensional images using computerized processing of the captured data. |
24 | $58 | $300 |
| CT scan of neck blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses dye to visualize the blood vessels in the neck. This imaging test helps examine the structure and flow within the neck's vascular system. |
23 | $180 | $900 |
| MRI of neck blood vessels without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the neck without the use of contrast dye. |
21 | $190 | $1,200 |
| MRI of spinal canal with and without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the central spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
21 | $277 | $1,500 |
| CT scan of head, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain and skull. This specific scan is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
20 | $116 | $600 |
| CT scan of head blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head. |
20 | $198 | $950 |
| MRI of head blood vessels with and without contrast An MRI scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head, performed both before and after the dye is administered. |
19 | $254 | $1,500 |
| CT scan of head/brain with and without contrast A CT scan of the head or brain performed using contrast dye both before and after its administration to capture detailed images. |
18 | $129 | $800 |
| MRI of eye socket, face, and/or neck with and without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the bones in the eye socket, face, and neck. It is performed both before and after the administration of a contrast dye to enhance the images. |
18 | $281 | $1,400 |
| 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 | $30 | $135 |
| CT scan of upper spine, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the upper spine. This procedure is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
15 | $109 | $700 |
| CT scan of chest, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest area that uses X-rays to create detailed images without the use of contrast dye. |
14 | $102 | $700 |
| Brain nuclear medicine study with metabolic evaluation A nuclear medicine imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to evaluate brain metabolism. This procedure helps assess how brain tissues are functioning at a metabolic level. |
13 | $1,316 | $2,500 |
| Fluorodeoxyglucose f-18 fdg, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 45 millicuries | 13 | $281 | $600 |
| MRI of head blood vessels with contrast An MRI scan that uses a contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the head. |
12 | $173 | $1,300 |
| MRI of pelvis, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the pelvic area performed without the use of contrast dye. |
12 | $201 | $1,200 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
11 | $90 | $350 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck blood flow, bilateral An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the vessels of both the head and the neck. |
11 | $162 | $400 |
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 ↗$9,797
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,400/year across 7 years
Top 9% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
18
Companies
44
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.
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$7,982 (81.5%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$1,781 (18.2%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$34 (0.3%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$4,436
2023
$2,998
2022
$1,441
2021
$171
2020
$240
2019
$377
2018
$134
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Biogen, Inc.
$4,025
Amgen Inc.
$123
Novo Nordisk Inc
$118
ABBVIE INC.
$83
Boston Scientific Corporation
$70
Lilly USA, LLC
$16
Top 3 companies account for 96.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Biogen, Inc.
$8,154
Amgen Inc.
$245
Boston Scientific Corporation
$224
Bayer Healthcare LLC
$150
Abbott Laboratories
$134
Novo Nordisk Inc
$118
PFIZER INC.
$117
ABBVIE INC.
$116
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$100
Seqirus USA Inc
$93
Conformis, Inc.
$79
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$73
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$72
Cepheid
$37
Eisai Inc.
$27
Travere Therapeutics, Inc.
$26
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$17
Lilly USA, LLC
$16
Top 3 companies account for 88.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(1428) Undivided Radiology · ADUHELM · AMYVID · Arctic Front · COLOGUARD · Cholbam · ERLEADA · EVENITY · FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT (MULTI-DOSE VIAL) · GENERAL THERAPIES · KRYSTEXXA · Leqembi · Proclaim Family of SCS IPGs · QULIPTA · SUPERION · UBRELVY · VERQUVO · WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16 · Wegovy · XPERT · iTotal CR
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 (82%) are consulting fees, which typically reflect recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Total industry engagement is in the top 9% for radiation oncology in CA.
Geographic Context
Radiation oncologists within 10 mi
47
Per 100K population
1.9
County median income
$89,672
Nearest hospital
EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
4.8 mi
4.8 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. Hancock is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 5% in CA), with consulting-driven industry engagement in the top 9% 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. Hancock experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadobutrol)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Hancock performed 24,161 mri contrast dye injection (gadobutrol) 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. Hancock receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Hancock received a total of $9,797 from 18 companies across 44 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. Hancock's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Palm Desert?
Dr. Hancock's average Medicare payment per service is $9. 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. Hancock) 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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