Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Al Franco, M.D.
Rheumatology · Riverside, 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. Franco 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. Franco?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Franco
Dr. Al Franco is a rheumatology specialist in Riverside, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Franco performed 34,092 Medicare services across 10,980 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Franco received a total of $7,755 from 32 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 385 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. 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. Franco 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 14% volume in CA
$7,755 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗34,092
Medicare services
Top 14% in CA for rheumatology
10,980
Unique beneficiaries
$16
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,794 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
2,971 | $17 | $66 |
| Immunoassay substance analysis, multiple step method A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to analyze a substance. The process involves multiple steps to detect or measure the target material. |
1,549 | $11 | $57 |
| Immunoglobulin level test A blood test that measures the level of gammaglobulins, which are immune system proteins. |
1,243 | $9 | $52 |
| Cardiolipin antibody (tissue antibody) measurement | 1,237 | $25 | $75 |
| Phospholipid antibody test A blood test that measures the level of phospholipid antibodies, which are autoimmune antibodies. This procedure quantifies the presence of these specific antibodies in the blood. |
1,234 | $16 | $90 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
873 | $12 | $69 |
| Mycoplasma antibody test A blood test that measures antibodies to Mycoplasma bacteria to check for exposure or infection. |
871 | $13 | $71 |
| Rubella antibody test A blood test that measures the level of antibodies to the rubella virus. This test checks for immunity to German measles or identifies a current infection. |
863 | $14 | $90 |
| Beta 2 glycoprotein 1 antibody (autoantibody) measurement | 797 | $25 | $83 |
| Immunoassay substance measurement A laboratory test that uses immunoassay techniques to measure the level of a specific substance in a sample. |
722 | $17 | $84 |
| Ferritin level test (iron stores) A blood test that measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body. |
503 | $13 | $81 |
| Homocysteine level test A blood test that measures the amount of homocysteine, an amino acid, in the body. |
503 | $17 | $179 |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein test A blood test that measures high-sensitivity C-reactive protein to detect infection or inflammation. |
503 | $13 | $50 |
| DNA antibody test (native or double-stranded) A blood test that measures the level of antibodies targeting native or double-stranded DNA. This test is used to detect the presence of these specific antibodies in the body. |
503 | $13 | $87 |
| Immune complex measurement A laboratory test that measures the level of immune complexes in the blood. Immune complexes are formed when antibodies bind to antigens. |
503 | $24 | $84 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 503 | $6 | $64 |
| Cardiac enzyme level (CK-MB) test A blood test that measures the total level of creatine kinase, specifically the cardiac enzyme fraction, to help evaluate heart muscle damage. |
502 | $6 | $42 |
| IgE level test A blood test that measures the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) proteins in the immune system. |
502 | $16 | $79 |
| Glutamyltransferase (GGT) level test A blood test that measures the level of the liver enzyme glutamyltransferase (GGT) to help evaluate liver health. |
502 | $7 | $38 |
| Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level test A blood test that measures the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme found in many body tissues. It helps assess tissue damage or disease. |
502 | $6 | $37 |
| Magnesium level test A blood test to measure the amount of magnesium in your body. This helps check for magnesium deficiency or excess. |
502 | $7 | $48 |
| Uric acid level test A blood test that measures the level of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. |
502 | $4 | $35 |
| Strep antibody test A blood test that measures antibodies to detect a past or current streptococcal infection. |
502 | $7 | $47 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
502 | $13 | $45 |
| Insulin level test A blood test that measures the total amount of insulin in your body. |
500 | $11 | $84 |
| Quantitative infectious agent antibody test A blood test that measures the specific amount of antibodies present to detect an infectious agent. |
500 | $15 | $85 |
| Hepatitis A antibody test A blood test that measures the level of antibodies to the hepatitis A virus in your body. This test helps determine if you have been exposed to the virus or if you have immunity from vaccination. |
500 | $12 | $98 |
| Toxoplasma antibody test A blood test that checks for antibodies to the Toxoplasma parasite. This test helps determine if a person has been exposed to the infection. |
498 | $14 | $92 |
| Direct bilirubin level test A blood test that measures the amount of direct bilirubin in your body. Direct bilirubin is the form of the waste product processed by the liver. |
491 | $5 | $20 |
| Phosphate level test A blood test that measures the amount of phosphate in your body. Phosphate is a mineral that helps keep bones and teeth strong. |
491 | $5 | $20 |
| COVID-19 antibody test A blood test that measures antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19). It detects the presence of immune response markers to the virus. |
491 | $41 | $50 |
| Total cortisol level test A blood test that measures the total amount of cortisol hormone in your body. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. |
490 | $16 | $96 |
| Parathyroid hormone level test A blood test that measures the amount of parathyroid hormone in your body. This hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood and bones. |
490 | $40 | $189 |
| Sex hormone binding globulin level test A blood test that measures the level of sex hormone binding globulin, a protein that binds to sex hormones in the bloodstream. |
490 | $21 | $100 |
| Total testosterone level test A blood test that measures the total amount of testosterone in your body. This hormone is important for various bodily functions in both men and women. |
490 | $25 | $92 |
| DHEA-S hormone level test A blood test that measures the level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. |
489 | $22 | $148 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
489 | $9 | $50 |
| Free T3 thyroid hormone test A blood test that measures the level of free triiodothyronine (T3) hormone in your body. This helps assess how well your thyroid gland is functioning. |
489 | $16 | $105 |
| Microsomal antibody test A blood test that measures the level of microsomal antibodies, which are autoantibodies produced by the immune system. |
489 | $14 | $60 |
| Thyroglobulin antibody blood test A blood test that measures the level of antibodies against thyroglobulin, a protein produced by the thyroid gland. |
489 | $15 | $60 |
| Human growth hormone level test A blood test to measure the amount of human growth hormone in the body. |
487 | $16 | $50 |
| Prolactin level test A blood test that measures the amount of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production, in the body. |
379 | $19 | $148 |
| Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level A blood test to measure the level of follicle stimulating hormone, a reproductive hormone. |
378 | $18 | $111 |
| Luteinizing hormone level test A blood test that measures the level of luteinizing hormone, a reproductive hormone. This test helps evaluate hormonal balance and reproductive function. |
378 | $18 | $104 |
| Total estradiol level test A blood test that measures the total amount of estradiol, a form of estrogen, in the body. |
370 | $27 | $152 |
| Progesterone level test A blood test that measures the amount of progesterone, a reproductive hormone, in your body. |
370 | $20 | $111 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
350 | $8 | $20 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube to detect inflammation in the body. This specific method is performed manually rather than using an automated machine. |
349 | $4 | $25 |
| Complete blood count (CBC) with differential An automated laboratory test that measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood, including a breakdown of the different types of white blood cells. |
342 | $8 | $35 |
| 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. |
342 | $88 | $278 |
| Manual urinalysis with microscopic examination A urine test performed manually without automated equipment. The sample is examined under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
330 | $4 | $33 |
| Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level test A blood test that measures the amount of adrenocorticotropic hormone in your body. |
330 | $37 | $143 |
| Folic acid level test A blood test that measures the amount of folic acid in the serum. |
323 | $14 | $87 |
| Vitamin B-12 level test A blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. |
316 | $15 | $78 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
313 | $29 | $125 |
| Glycated protein level test A blood test that measures the level of glycated protein to assess average blood sugar control over time. |
308 | $16 | $64 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
264 | $13 | $89 |
| Acute hepatitis panel A blood test that screens for markers of acute viral hepatitis infection. |
219 | $45 | $182 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
217 | $10 | $75 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
205 | $9 | $70 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
187 | $16 | $50 |
| Office visit, established patient, complex (40-54 min) An office or outpatient visit for an existing patient lasting between 40 and 54 minutes. This level of service is determined by the total time spent on the date of the encounter. |
65 | $131 | $371 |
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 ↗$7,755
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,108/year across 7 years
Top 33% in CA for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
32
Companies
385
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
$7,735 (99.7%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$20 (0.3%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,013
2023
$1,354
2022
$1,259
2021
$1,582
2020
$791
2019
$933
2018
$823
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$200
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$173
Amgen Inc.
$167
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$136
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$122
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$103
Octapharma USA, Inc.
$50
PFIZER INC.
$25
Avanos Medical
$22
Fidia Pharma USA Inc.
$15
Top 3 companies account for 53.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$780
Amgen Inc.
$712
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$681
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$666
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$615
ABBVIE INC.
$492
UCB, Inc.
$463
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$416
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$379
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$276
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC
$249
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$243
Celgene Corporation
$235
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$231
PFIZER INC.
$186
Lilly USA, LLC
$159
Octapharma USA, Inc.
$148
Horizon Pharma plc
$144
GENZYME CORPORATION
$108
AbbVie, Inc.
$104
AbbVie Inc.
$98
Fidia Pharma USA Inc.
$72
Mallinckrodt LLC
$69
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
$49
FIDIA PHARMA USA INC.
$34
Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
$29
Genentech USA, Inc.
$28
Avanos Medical
$22
Radius Health, Inc.
$20
Oxford Immunotec USA Inc
$18
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.
$15
Roche Diagnostics Corporation
$13
Top 3 companies account for 28.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · Actemra · BENLYSTA · CD cobas Reagents · COSENTYX · CRYSVITA · Cimzia · Crysvita · Enbrel · GENVISC 850 SODIUM HYALURONATE · HUMIRA · HYMOVIS · Humira · Hyalgan · Hymovis · KEVZARA · KRYSTEXXA · OCTAGAM IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) · OFEV · ORENCIA · ORTHOVISC · Otezla · PENNSAID · RAYOS · REMICADE · RINVOQ · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · STRENSIQ · Strensiq · TALTZ · TREMFYA · TRILURON · TSPOT TB TEST · Tymlos · XELJANZ
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
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
80
Per 100K population
3.3
County median income
$89,672
Nearest hospital
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL, RIVERSIDE
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. Franco is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 14% in CA), with low-engagement 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. Franco experienced with autoimmune disorder antibody test?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Franco performed 2,971 autoimmune disorder antibody test 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. Franco receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Franco received a total of $7,755 from 32 companies across 385 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. Franco's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Riverside?
Dr. Franco's average Medicare payment per service is $16. 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. Franco) 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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