Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Christopher Paulson, M.D.
Family Medicine · Fort Walton Beach, FL
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. Paulson 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. Paulson
Dr. Christopher Paulson is a family medicine specialist in Fort Walton Beach, FL, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Paulson performed 11,617 Medicare services across 5,456 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Paulson received a total of $6,605 from 32 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 392 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in family medicine. 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. Paulson is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. This is not a quality rating. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 20 years in practice
▲ Top 2% volume in FL
$6,605 industry payments
Florida License Status
FL DOH · MQA1
Active license
None
Board action on record
0
Recent admin complaints
| Profession | License # | Status | Expires | Board Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Doctor | 132103 | Clear | January 31, 2027 | — |
Data from Florida Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance.
License records are public under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
Verify directly on FL DOH →
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗11,617
Medicare services
Top 2% in FL for family medicine
5,456
Unique beneficiaries
$28
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~581 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 2,580 | $18 | $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. |
1,159 | $83 | $144 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
985 | $8 | $10 |
| 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. |
886 | $8 | $37 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
862 | $10 | $53 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
624 | $10 | $45 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
450 | $16 | $45 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
445 | $1 | $5 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
329 | $13 | $52 |
| LDL cholesterol level test A blood test that measures the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. |
275 | $10 | $58 |
| Urinalysis with microscopic exam A urine test performed manually that includes examining the sample under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
206 | $3 | $20 |
| Annual alcohol misuse screening, 5 to 15 minutes | 202 | $18 | $30 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
201 | $29 | $30 |
| Flu vaccine, quadrivalent A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus to help prevent seasonal influenza infection. |
190 | $76 | $78 |
| Annual depression screening | 182 | $18 | $30 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
180 | $126 | $175 |
| 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. |
179 | $134 | $195 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
161 | $9 | $65 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
99 | $42 | $133 |
| Drug injection, under skin or into muscle A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance via injection into the subcutaneous tissue or muscle. |
88 | $11 | $35 |
| Magnesium level test A blood test to measure the amount of magnesium in your body. This helps check for magnesium deficiency or excess. |
83 | $7 | $25 |
| PSA test (prostate cancer screening) A blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen to screen for prostate cancer. |
81 | $19 | $70 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12-lead A standard heart rhythm test using at least 12 leads to record electrical activity. A healthcare provider interprets the results and provides a written report. |
80 | $10 | $62 |
| Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) An intramuscular injection of the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It is used to protect against diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. |
76 | $283 | $350 |
| Pneumonia vaccine administration This procedure involves the injection of a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease. It is administered by a healthcare provider. |
76 | $29 | $30 |
| Prothrombin time test (blood clotting) A laboratory test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. This procedure evaluates the body's coagulation process. |
72 | $4 | $25 |
| Urine microalbumin test A laboratory test that measures the amount of a specific protein called microalbumin in a urine sample. This analysis helps assess kidney function. |
69 | $6 | $25 |
| 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. |
69 | $5 | $20 |
| Creatinine test (kidney function) A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine to assess kidney function or detect muscle injury. |
65 | $5 | $11 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) A test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density in the hip, pelvis, and spine. It helps assess bone strength and risk of fractures. |
63 | $36 | $250 |
| 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. |
54 | $24 | $75 |
| 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. |
53 | $4 | $20 |
| PSA test (prostate cancer screening) | 48 | $18 | $70 |
| Ketorolac injection, per 15 mg An injection of ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, administered in doses measured per 15 mg. |
43 | $0 | $18 |
| Home health plan of care certification Certification by a physician or allowed practitioner for Medicare-covered home health services under a home health plan of care. This includes contacting the home health agency and reviewing reports of patient status required by physicians. |
42 | $39 | $125 |
| Basic metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of basic chemicals, including total calcium levels. |
40 | $8 | $40 |
| COVID-19 amplified DNA/RNA probe detection A laboratory test that uses amplified DNA or RNA probes to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) antigen. |
37 | $50 | $110 |
| Triglyceride level test A blood test that measures the amount of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood. |
35 | $6 | $20 |
| Influenza virus nucleic acid detection test A laboratory test that uses nucleic acid technology to detect multiple types of influenza virus. |
34 | $94 | $160 |
| 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. |
20 | $60 | $99 |
| Home health plan of care re-certification A physician reviews the patient's status and contacts the home health agency to re-certify the plan of care without the patient being present. |
20 | $30 | $90 |
| 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. |
19 | $29 | $70 |
| Transitional care management services, moderate complexity Services provided to coordinate care during the transition from an inpatient or other facility setting back to the community. This includes follow-up and management of a health problem of at least moderate complexity. |
19 | $158 | $275 |
| 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. |
18 | $78 | $158 |
| Annual wellness visit, initial visit A yearly appointment to review your health and create a personalized prevention plan. This initial visit focuses on preventive care and health assessment. |
18 | $162 | $225 |
| 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. |
16 | $22 | $60 |
| Office visit for established patient An office visit for an existing patient that may not require the healthcare professional to be present. |
16 | $14 | $34 |
| 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. |
15 | $40 | $100 |
| Strep A nucleic acid amplification test A laboratory test that uses nucleic acid amplification to detect the presence of Group A Streptococcus bacteria. This method identifies the genetic material of the bacteria to determine if an infection is present. |
15 | $34 | $68 |
| 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. |
14 | $36 | $105 |
| Vaccine administration The process of giving a vaccine to a patient. This code covers the administration service only and does not include the cost of the vaccine itself. |
12 | $10 | $30 |
| Transitional care management, high complexity Coordination of care for a patient transitioning from a short-term hospital stay or other facility to home or another care setting. This service addresses a high-complexity medical problem. |
12 | $214 | $387 |
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 ↗$6,605
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $944/year across 7 years
Top 8% in FL for family medicine
32
Companies
392
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
$6,441 (97.5%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$164 (2.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,131
2023
$1,130
2022
$1,006
2021
$525
2020
$305
2019
$1,168
2018
$1,340
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$1,015
Amgen Inc.
$890
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$680
Lilly USA, LLC
$618
Novo Nordisk Inc
$617
PFIZER INC.
$592
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$438
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$234
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$176
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$172
Abbott Laboratories
$140
ABBVIE INC.
$117
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$98
Dexcom, Inc.
$98
SANOFI PASTEUR INC.
$80
Boston Scientific Corporation
$74
Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
$63
Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
$57
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$47
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$46
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$45
Genentech USA, Inc.
$41
Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
$39
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$36
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
$35
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$34
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$30
Exact Sciences Corporation
$28
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$21
Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$16
Eisai Inc.
$14
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 39.1% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AIRSUPRA · ANORO · ANORO ELLIPTA · AREXVY · Aimovig · BASAGLAR · BELSOMRA · BEXSERO · COMIRNATY · Cologuard Collection Kit · Dayvigo · Dexcom G6 Transmitter · ELIQUIS · EMGALITY · EVENITY · FARXIGA · FLUBLOK QUADRIVALENT · FLUBLOK QUADRIVALENT NORTHERN HEMISPHERE · FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE · FreeStyle Libre 2 · GARDASIL 9 · GEMTESA · HawkOne · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · LEQVIO · Livalo · MENACTRA · MENQUADFI · MITRACLIP · MOUNJARO · MYRBETRIQ · Myrbetriq · NURTEC ODT · Ozempic · PNEUMOVAX 23 · PREVNAR - 13 · PREVNAR 13 · PREVNAR 20 · Prolia · QULIPTA · ROTATEQ · Repatha · Rybelsus · SHINGRIX · SOLIQUA · STEGLATRO · SYMBICORT · TOUJEO · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRINTELLIX · TRULICITY · Tresiba · UBRELVY · VESICARE · VOQUEZNA · Vascepa · Veozah · Victoza · WATCHMAN FLX · XARELTO · XIFAXAN · Xofluza · Xultophy 100/3.6
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 (98%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians. Total industry engagement is in the top 8% for family medicine in FL.
Equivalent to $57 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Family medicine physicians within 10 mi
157
Per 100K population
73.3
County median income
$79,097
Nearest hospital
HCA FLORIDA FORT WALTON-DESTIN HOSPITAL
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 measures how much public data is available about a provider — not how good they are. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Paulson is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 2% in FL), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 8% of FL peers, with 20 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data. It describes data availability and patterns — not clinical quality. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Paulson experienced with denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Paulson performed 2,580 denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva) 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. Paulson receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Paulson received a total of $6,605 from 32 companies across 392 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. Paulson's costs compare to other family medicine physicians in Fort Walton Beach?
Dr. Paulson's average Medicare payment per service is $28. 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. Paulson) 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. The Transparency Score measures 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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