Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Christopher Skillern, MD
Vascular Surgery Physician · Ventura, 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. Skillern 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. Skillern
Dr. Christopher Skillern is a vascular surgery physician in Ventura, CA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Skillern performed 4,311 Medicare services across 3,128 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Skillern received a total of $17,374 from 22 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 202 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in vascular surgery physician. 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. Skillern 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 4% volume in CA
$17,374 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗4,311
Medicare services
Top 4% in CA for vascular surgery physician
3,128
Unique beneficiaries
$270
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~227 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the blood vessels in the arms and legs. It allows healthcare providers to examine the structure and blood flow within these arteries. |
465 | $53 | $275 |
| 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. |
461 | $77 | $160 |
| 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. |
421 | $108 | $230 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood vessels in the legs or any surgical grafts present. |
411 | $152 | $599 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in the arm or leg. The test uses sound waves to check blood flow and may include compression and other maneuvers. |
314 | $111 | $460 |
| 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. |
242 | $10 | $49 |
| 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. |
211 | $120 | $460 |
| 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. |
204 | $153 | $500 |
| Ultrasound of hemodialysis access An ultrasound imaging test used to evaluate the blood flow and structure of a hemodialysis access site. |
176 | $60 | $500 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
128 | $140 | $355 |
| 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. |
109 | $36 | $150 |
| Ultrasound of arm or leg veins An ultrasound exam of the veins in one arm or leg using compression and other maneuvers to assess blood flow and check for blockages. |
94 | $67 | $300 |
| 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. |
89 | $46 | $150 |
| Ultrasound of blood vessel, initial vessel An ultrasound exam of a blood vessel that includes a radiologist's review of the initial vessel. |
68 | $898 | $3,500 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to create images of the arteries in one leg or any grafts present in that leg. |
63 | $67 | $290 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, moderate complexity Follow-up hospital visit for an existing patient involving moderate medical decision making. The visit requires at least 35 minutes of time spent on the date of service. |
59 | $66 | $150 |
| Arterial catheter insertion, initial third order branch Insertion of a tube into an abdominal, pelvic, or leg artery, specifically targeting the initial third order branch. |
56 | $667 | $4,800 |
| 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. |
56 | $132 | $700 |
| Radiologist review of pelvis artery image A radiologist examines and interprets imaging of the arteries in the pelvis. This service involves the professional analysis of the visual data to assess the blood vessels. |
54 | $129 | $695 |
| Arterial puncture or catheterization, arm or leg Insertion of a needle or tube into an artery in the arm or leg. This procedure is used to access the arterial system for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. |
52 | $240 | $1,200 |
| Radiologist review of abdominal aorta image A radiologist reviews images of the abdominal aorta to evaluate the blood vessel. |
43 | $111 | $575 |
| Contrast injection for X-ray imaging Administration of a contrast agent into a vein in the arm or leg to enhance visibility during an X-ray imaging procedure. |
39 | $121 | $875 |
| Office visit for established patient An office visit for an existing patient that may not require the healthcare professional to be present. |
36 | $21 | $68 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
34 | $8 | $13 |
| Arterial plaque removal in leg A procedure to remove plaque buildup from the arteries in the leg to restore blood flow. |
33 | $6,611 | $26,700 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
32 | $10 | $47 |
| Initial hospital admission, high complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 75 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
30 | $147 | $250 |
| 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. |
28 | $7,854 | $26,400 |
| Vein wound compression bandage application, lower leg, ankle, and foot Application of compression bandages to the lower leg, ankle, and foot to manage vein-related wounds. |
27 | $89 | $207 |
| Ultrasound of aorta, vena cava, groin vessels or bypass grafts This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the aorta, vena cava, groin vessels, or bypass grafts. It allows for the visualization of these blood vessels and any surgical grafts. |
27 | $76 | $280 |
| 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. |
25 | $765 | $3,000 |
| 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. |
24 | $118 | $1,985 |
| Radiologist review of lower body vein image A radiologist reviews images of the major veins in the lower body to assess their structure and function. |
23 | $100 | $350 |
| 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. |
22 | $181 | $4,000 |
| Review by radiologist of both arms and legs veins of both arms or legs image | 22 | $120 | $375 |
| Arterial tube insertion, additional vessels This code covers the insertion of a tube into an additional artery in the abdomen, pelvis, or leg during a procedure where other arteries have already been accessed. |
19 | $107 | $400 |
| 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. |
19 | $82 | $250 |
| Balloon dilation of vein, initial vein A procedure to widen a vein using a balloon catheter, with radiologist review. |
17 | $841 | $4,100 |
| Vein stent insertion with radiologist review A stent is placed in a vein to keep it open, with review by a radiologist. This is performed on the initial vein treated. |
16 | $3,294 | $9,500 |
| 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. |
14 | $1,971 | $13,500 |
| Insertion of vena cava tube A procedure to place a tube into the vena cava, the large vein that carries blood to the heart. |
12 | $297 | $1,500 |
| 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. |
12 | $239 | $15,550 |
| 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. |
12 | $10,768 | $36,200 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 12 | $169 | $440 |
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.
4.1% high complexity
51.0% medium
44.9% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$17,374
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $2,482/year across 7 years
Top 17% in CA for vascular surgery physician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
22
Companies
202
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
$13,937 (80.2%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$3,437 (19.8%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$4,521
2023
$2,444
2022
$1,591
2021
$383
2020
$42
2019
$1,652
2018
$6,742
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Philips North America LLC
$3,437
Medtronic, Inc.
$410
Imperative Care, Inc
$346
Reflow Medical Inc
$202
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
$45
Boston Scientific Corporation
$44
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$21
Organogenesis Inc.
$15
Top 3 companies account for 92.8% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$6,832
Philips North America LLC
$3,437
Medtronic, Inc.
$1,943
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
$1,414
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$1,012
Imperative Care, Inc
$849
Inari Medical, Inc.
$644
Silk Road Medical, Inc.
$233
Reflow Medical Inc
$202
Boston Scientific Corporation
$176
Penumbra, Inc.
$150
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$108
PFIZER INC.
$104
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
$71
CVRx, Inc.
$49
Tactile Systems Technology Inc
$30
Maquet Cardiovascular U.S. Sales, L.L.C.
$27
TRUVIC MEDICAL, INC.
$24
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
$21
Cook Incorporated
$18
Endologix, Inc.
$16
Organogenesis Inc.
$15
Top 3 companies account for 70.3% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(5027) Intact Vascular Undivided · (6554) Peripheral Vascular Undivided · (6577) Visions 014 · (6582) Visions 035 · (9281) Turbo Elite · (9282) Turbo Power · (9520) IGT Devices Undivided · (AZ7) Lasers · (BR5) Peripheral IVUS · (BR8) Peripheral Thrombectomy · (BS1) Peripheral Vascular Undivided · (DD1) Duo Hybrid · ABRE · ADMIRAL XTREME · ARTEGRAFT VASCULAR GRAFT · AZURE XT DR MRI SURESCAN · Abre · Azure · Barostim Neo System · CHAMELEON · CONCERTOTM · COOK MEDICAL AAA · ClosureFast · ELIQUIS · ELLIPSYS VASCULAR ACCESS SYSTEM · ENDURANT IIS · ENHANCE Transcarotid Peripheral Access Kit · ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System · ENROUTE Transcarotid Stent · FLEXITOUCH · FLIXENE · FLOWTRIEVER CATHETER · Flexitouch Plus · HAWKONE · HawkOne · IN.PACT ADMIRAL · IN.PACT AV · IN.PACT Admiral · Indigo System · MVP · Ovation · PRODIGY CATHETER · S · SpiderFX · TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis · TRIVEX SYSTEM · TURBOHAWK · TYRX · VENASEAL · Varithena Administration Pack · WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16 · XARELTO
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 (80%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Vascular surgery physicians within 10 mi
11
Per 100K population
1.3
County median income
$107,327
Nearest hospital
VENTURA COUNTY 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. Skillern is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 4% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 17% 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. Skillern experienced with ultrasound of arm and leg arteries?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Skillern performed 465 ultrasound of arm and leg arteries 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. Skillern receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Skillern received a total of $17,374 from 22 companies across 202 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. Skillern's costs compare to other vascular surgery physicians in Ventura?
Dr. Skillern's average Medicare payment per service is $270. 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. Skillern) 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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