Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Howard Busch, D.O.
Rheumatology · Loxahatchee, FL
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Speaking/Promotional
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. Busch 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. Busch
Dr. Howard Busch is a rheumatology specialist in Loxahatchee, FL, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Busch performed 33,276 Medicare services across 2,301 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Busch received a total of $771,547 from 66 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 2302 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Busch 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.
✓ 19 years in practice
▲ Top 40% volume in FL
$771,547 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗33,276
Medicare services
Top 40% in FL for rheumatology
2,301
Unique beneficiaries
$14
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · Not a quality rating · How to read this →
~1,751 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocilizumab injection (Actemra) | 22,080 | $5 | $11 |
| Abatacept infusion (Orencia) An injection of abatacept administered under the direct supervision of a physician. This code is used for Medicare when the drug is not self-administered. |
3,925 | $30 | $79 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 2,940 | $8 | $24 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 960 | $19 | $46 |
| 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. |
831 | $98 | $270 |
| 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. |
345 | $32 | $90 |
| 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. |
174 | $38 | $123 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
172 | $104 | $345 |
| 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. |
163 | $21 | $80 |
| 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. |
158 | $132 | $415 |
| X-ray of middle spine, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that produces two views of the middle section of the spine to visualize the bones and joints. |
134 | $24 | $85 |
| Wrist X-ray, minimum 3 views An imaging test using X-rays to capture at least three different angles of the wrist bones and joints. |
127 | $32 | $96 |
| X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
126 | $29 | $77 |
| Foot X-ray, 3+ views An X-ray imaging test of the foot that captures at least three different views to evaluate the bones and joints. |
111 | $27 | $73 |
| Ankle X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the ankle that captures at least three different angles to evaluate the bones and joints. |
106 | $29 | $75 |
| Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg | 89 | $6 | $30 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
85 | $45 | $175 |
| 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. |
80 | $28 | $73 |
| 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. |
74 | $71 | $184 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
62 | $56 | $189 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 4-5 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using 4 to 5 different views to visualize the bones and structures in that area. |
59 | $39 | $125 |
| Betamethasone steroid injection An injection containing a combination of betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. |
56 | $5 | $12 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 20 mg A 20 mg injection of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
54 | $4 | $20 |
| 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. |
51 | $137 | $364 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
48 | $22 | $110 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
44 | $12 | $85 |
| Tendon or ligament injection A procedure involving the injection of medication into a tendon or ligament. |
43 | $41 | $150 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, small joint Removal of fluid from a small joint or injection of medication into a small joint. |
40 | $32 | $135 |
| 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. |
36 | $39 | $120 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, medium joint Removal of fluid from a medium-sized joint or injection of medication into the joint space. |
31 | $39 | $145 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 28 | $178 | $521 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
18 | $43 | $155 |
| X-ray of middle spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the middle spine using at least four different views to capture detailed images of the vertebrae and surrounding structures. |
14 | $31 | $104 |
| X-ray of both hips, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that captures two views of both hip joints to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
12 | $31 | $99 |
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.
12.3% high complexity
79.8% medium
7.9% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$771,547
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $110,221/year across 7 years
Top 2% in FL for rheumatology
66
Companies
2,302
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.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$746,820 (96.8%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$12,373 (1.6%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$12,354 (1.6%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$73,879
2023
$103,918
2022
$125,103
2021
$147,747
2020
$87,853
2019
$130,237
2018
$102,810
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$186,198
Amgen Inc.
$123,309
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$89,353
UCB, Inc.
$53,947
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$49,368
Celgene Corporation
$42,196
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC
$36,377
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$35,292
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$35,027
GENZYME CORPORATION
$23,392
Mallinckrodt LLC
$19,509
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$16,583
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$15,432
Genentech USA, Inc.
$12,068
Exeltis, USA Inc.
$7,207
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.
$5,774
ABBVIE INC.
$4,589
AbbVie Inc.
$2,928
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$2,058
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$2,004
PFIZER INC.
$1,433
Horizon Pharma plc
$1,140
Radius Health, Inc.
$931
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$893
Lilly USA, LLC
$470
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$459
Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.
$323
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$317
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
$305
AbbVie, Inc.
$289
Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
$275
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$197
SOBI, INC
$151
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$150
RECORDATI_RARE_DISEASES_INC.
$138
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$137
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$119
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$116
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$87
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc.
$86
Alvogen Inc
$82
Sobi, Inc
$81
Invivyd Inc
$75
NeuroMetrix Inc
$68
Organon LLC
$67
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
$56
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
$46
MEDEXUS PHARMA, INC.
$46
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
$44
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$43
Octapharma USA, Inc.
$42
Vertiflex, Inc.
$29
Genentech, Inc.
$25
Abbott Laboratories
$23
Mylan Institutional Inc.
$22
ADMA BioManufacturing LLC
$20
Almatica Pharma LLC
$19
ASSERTIO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
$18
Zyla Life Sciences
$18
Shire North American Group Inc
$16
FIDIA PHARMA USA INC.
$15
Oxford Immunotec USA Inc
$14
IDORSIA PHARMACEUTICALS US INC
$14
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA
$14
Bioventus LLC
$14
ARBOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 51.7% of total payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · AMJEVITA · AVSOLA · Actemra · Arcalyst · BELSOMRA · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · Briviact · COSENTYX · CYLTEZO · Cimzia · Crysvita · ETERNA · EVENITY · EVUSHELD · Enbrel · FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT · GELSYN 3 · Gralise · HADLIMA · HUMIRA · HYQVIA · Horizant · Hulio · Humira · Hymovis · IDACIO · ILARIS · INFLECTRA · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LUPKYNIS · LYRICA · Mitigare · OCREVUS · OCTAGAM IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) · OFEV · OPSUMIT · OPSUMIT MACITENTAN · ORENCIA · ORTHOVISC · Otezla · PEMGARDA · PENNSAID · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Prolia · QUVIVIQ · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · STRENSIQ · SYLVANT · SYNAGIS · Strensiq · Superion ISS · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TEPEZZA · TERIPARATIDE · TREMFYA · TSPOT TB TEST · Tavneos · Tymlos · UPTRAVI · Uloric · XELJANZ · ZORVOLEX · Zilretta
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 →
The majority of payments (97%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in rheumatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 2% for rheumatology in FL.
Equivalent to $2,319 per 100 Medicare services performed
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
27
Per 100K population
1.8
County median income
$81,115
Nearest hospital
HCA FLORIDA PALMS WEST 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. Busch is a mixed practice specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 2% of FL peers, with 19 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. Busch experienced with tocilizumab injection (actemra)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Busch performed 22,080 tocilizumab injection (actemra) 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. Busch receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Busch received a total of $771,547 from 66 companies across 2,302 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. Busch's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Loxahatchee?
Dr. Busch's average Medicare payment per service is $14. 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. Busch) 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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