Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Scott Lipson, MD
Radiation Oncology · Walnut Creek, 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. Lipson 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. Lipson
Dr. Scott Lipson is a radiation oncology specialist in Walnut Creek, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Lipson performed 60,065 Medicare services across 2,936 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Lipson received a total of $532 from 4 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 5 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. Lipson 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.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 1% volume in CA
$532 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗60,065
Medicare services
Top 1% in CA for radiation oncology
2,936
Unique beneficiaries
$5
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~3,003 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) | 37,888 | $0 | $1 |
| 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. |
19,700 | $0 | $1 |
| Chest X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the chest taken from a single angle. This imaging test is used to visualize the structures within the chest cavity. |
669 | $8 | $35 |
| MRI of pelvis with and without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the pelvic area performed both before and after the administration of a contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
244 | $340 | $3,189 |
| MRI of abdomen with and without contrast An MRI scan of the abdomen using contrast dye before and after administration to create detailed images of internal structures. |
178 | $361 | $3,023 |
| Low dose CT scan of chest for lung cancer screening A specialized CT scan of the chest using a lower radiation dose to screen for lung cancer. |
155 | $59 | $282 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan that uses dye to create detailed images of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging test helps doctors examine internal organs and structures in these areas. |
103 | $318 | $2,024 |
| 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. |
98 | $29 | $225 |
| 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. |
76 | $125 | $1,158 |
| 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. |
69 | $9 | $40 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
62 | $127 | $1,422 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
56 | $77 | $403 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis using contrast dye before and after administration to visualize internal structures. |
50 | $337 | $2,628 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view An X-ray image of the abdomen taken from a single angle to visualize internal structures. |
45 | $8 | $35 |
| 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. |
43 | $41 | $282 |
| 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. |
40 | $89 | $851 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
38 | $32 | $182 |
| Complete pelvic ultrasound An imaging test using sound waves to create pictures of the organs and structures within the pelvis. |
37 | $29 | $146 |
| Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound An ultrasound exam using a probe inserted into the vagina to image the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and surrounding pelvic structures. |
36 | $30 | $146 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the abdominal and pelvic organs. The procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
35 | $170 | $1,805 |
| Limited abdominal ultrasound A focused ultrasound examination of the abdomen to evaluate specific organs or areas. This procedure uses sound waves to create images of internal structures. |
33 | $24 | $131 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
31 | $30 | $177 |
| MRI of abdomen without contrast An MRI scan of the abdomen that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of internal organs and tissues without the use of contrast dye. |
29 | $200 | $2,145 |
| Ultrasound of abdominal aorta An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the abdominal aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lower body. |
27 | $30 | $95 |
| 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. |
26 | $179 | $1,939 |
| CT scan of leg, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. This imaging test uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the leg's internal structures. |
26 | $84 | $812 |
| CT scan of abdomen with and without contrast A CT scan of the abdomen performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to provide detailed images of internal structures. |
22 | $235 | $1,537 |
| 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. |
21 | $18 | $180 |
| Pelvis X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the pelvic area using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
19 | $8 | $43 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
19 | $7 | $39 |
| 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. |
18 | $177 | $1,853 |
| CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to visualize the blood vessels in the abdomen and pelvis. |
17 | $91 | $342 |
| CT scan of arm, without contrast A CT scan of the arm that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the arm's internal structures without the use of contrast dye. |
16 | $43 | $224 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
16 | $10 | $42 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
16 | $8 | $43 |
| 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. |
15 | $333 | $3,584 |
| Shoulder X-ray, 2+ views An X-ray imaging test of the shoulder joint using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
14 | $8 | $43 |
| Ultrasound scan of organ tissue for measuring elasticity This procedure uses ultrasound technology to assess the stiffness or elasticity of organ tissues. It helps evaluate tissue characteristics without invasive methods. |
14 | $22 | $105 |
| 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. |
13 | $106 | $1,100 |
| 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. |
13 | $179 | $1,960 |
| X-ray of thigh bone, minimum 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the thigh bone using at least two different angles to visualize the bone structure. |
13 | $8 | $37 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck soft tissue This procedure uses sound waves to create images of the soft tissues in the head and neck area. It allows for the visualization of structures beneath the skin without using radiation. |
13 | $19 | $130 |
| 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. |
12 | $42 | $282 |
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 2023 ↗$532
Total received (2018-2023)
Avg $177/year across 3 years
Top 32% in CA for radiation oncology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
4
Companies
5
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
$532 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2023
$58
2019
$13
2018
$462
Payments by company (2023)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Stryker Corporation
$58
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2023 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2023) ›
Arthrex, Inc.
$450
Stryker Corporation
$58
HeartFlow, Inc.
$13
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 97.8% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTISHIELD · Certegra
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
331
Per 100K population
28.5
County median income
$125,727
Nearest hospital
JOHN MUIR MEDICAL CENTER - WALNUT CREEK CAMPUS
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 2023 |
| 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. Lipson is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 1% in CA), with low-engagement industry engagement, with 20 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. Lipson experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadobutrol)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Lipson performed 37,888 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. Lipson receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Lipson received a total of $532 from 4 companies across 5 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. Lipson's costs compare to other radiation oncologists in Walnut Creek?
Dr. Lipson's average Medicare payment per service is $5. 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. Lipson) 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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