Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Gary Carlson, MD
Optician · Westlake Village, 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. Carlson 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. Carlson
Dr. Gary Carlson is an optician specialist in Westlake Village, CA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Carlson performed 6,574 Medicare services across 2,751 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Carlson received a total of $3,628 from 36 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 172 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. 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. Carlson 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 13% volume in CA
$3,628 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗6,574
Medicare services
Top 13% in CA for optician
2,751
Unique beneficiaries
$37
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~329 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. |
2,990 | $6 | $12 |
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
838 | $29 | $135 |
| 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. |
663 | $47 | $95 |
| 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. |
633 | $38 | $115 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
274 | $66 | $178 |
| 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. |
222 | $140 | $292 |
| 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. |
154 | $74 | $150 |
| 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. |
114 | $135 | $307 |
| 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. |
93 | $97 | $212 |
| 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. |
68 | $42 | $88 |
| Destruction of cancer skin growth of scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, 1.1-2.0 cm | 63 | $152 | $324 |
| 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. |
60 | $138 | $308 |
| Destruction of cancerous skin growth on face, 1.1-2.0 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 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
54 | $170 | $352 |
| Skin growth shaving, 0.5 cm or less This procedure involves shaving off a small skin growth measuring 0.5 centimeters or less from the body, arms, or legs. |
52 | $59 | $178 |
| 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. |
49 | $82 | $199 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
37 | $1 | $2 |
| Simple drainage of skin abscess A minor procedure to drain a localized collection of pus from the skin. The abscess is opened to allow the fluid to escape and promote healing. |
36 | $94 | $215 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm A minor procedure to shave off a skin growth on the body, arms, or legs that measures between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters. |
35 | $87 | $212 |
| 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. |
30 | $95 | $256 |
| Injection into skin growths, 1-7 A procedure involving the injection of medication into one to seven skin growths. |
23 | $30 | $98 |
| Complex or multiple skin abscess drainage A procedure to drain one or more skin abscesses that are complex in nature. This involves opening and cleaning the infected pockets under the skin. |
19 | $165 | $360 |
| Topical aminolevulinic acid HCl 20% solution A topical medication applied to the skin for medical treatment. It is supplied as a single-unit dosage form containing 354 mg of the active ingredient. |
18 | $306 | $586 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
15 | $63 | $167 |
| 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. |
12 | $117 | $286 |
| Shaving of small skin growth on face or mouth area A minor procedure to shave off a small skin growth, measuring 0.5 cm or less, located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. |
11 | $86 | $203 |
| Light therapy to destroy precancerous skin growth A qualified healthcare professional applies light to the skin to destroy precancerous growths. |
11 | $171 | $415 |
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 ↗$3,628
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $518/year across 7 years
Top 28% in CA for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
36
Companies
172
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
$3,628 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$729
2023
$889
2022
$685
2021
$386
2020
$192
2019
$260
2018
$488
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
GENZYME CORPORATION
$322
ABBVIE INC.
$131
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$49
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$43
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$36
LEO Pharma Inc.
$26
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$23
Biofrontera Inc.
$21
UCB, Inc.
$21
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$20
Amgen Inc.
$19
PFIZER INC.
$18
Top 3 companies account for 68.8% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
GENZYME CORPORATION
$874
AbbVie Inc.
$252
ABBVIE INC.
$241
LEO Pharma Inc.
$235
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$229
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$209
PFIZER INC.
$132
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$126
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$102
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$98
Biofrontera Inc.
$93
UCB, Inc.
$89
Incyte Corporation
$79
Amgen Inc.
$72
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$65
Allergan Inc.
$61
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$60
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$58
Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$56
Almirall LLC
$55
Lilly USA, LLC
$48
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$44
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$43
Merz North America, Inc.
$37
Celgene Corporation
$34
Allergan, Inc.
$32
PruGen, Inc. Pharmaceuticals
$29
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$25
Smith+Nephew, Inc.
$23
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
$23
Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
$22
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$20
Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$18
Journey Medical Corporation
$16
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$15
EPI Health, LLC
$14
Top 3 companies account for 37.7% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
0.25% · 20% · ABSORICA · ABSORICA (isotretinoin) · ABSORICA LD · ADBRY · AKLIEF · AMELUZ · Absorica LD · BLU-U · BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator Model 4170 · BOTOX · BOTOX COSMETIC · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DORYX · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · ENSTILAR · EPIDUO FORTE · EUCRISA · GRAFIX PL · HUMIRA · HYLATOPIC EMOLLIENT · ILUMYA · ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) injection · JUBLIA · Kerendia · LIBTAYO · Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution · ODOMZO · ONEXTON · OPZELURA · ORACEA · Olux · Otezla · PICATO · Poteligeo · QBREXZA · REMICADE · RETIN-A-MICRO · RINVOQ · SKYRIZI · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · Seysara · Sitavig · TALTZ · TOPICORT (desoximetasone) Topical Spray · TREMFYA · Tremfya · ULTRAVATE (halobetasol propionate) lotion · Winlevi · XEOMIN · Xolegel · 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 (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Opticians within 10 mi
382
Per 100K population
45.6
County median income
$107,327
Nearest hospital
LOS ROBLES HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER
5.3 mi
5.3 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. Carlson is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 13% 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. Carlson experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Carlson performed 2,990 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. Carlson receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Carlson received a total of $3,628 from 36 companies across 172 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. Carlson's costs compare to other opticians in Westlake Village?
Dr. Carlson's average Medicare payment per service is $37. 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. Carlson) 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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