Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Cynthia Shepherd, MD
Hematology & Oncology · Athens, GA
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. Shepherd 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 →
Are you Dr. Shepherd?
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What this data tells you about Dr. Shepherd
Dr. Cynthia Shepherd is a hematology & oncology specialist in Athens, GA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Shepherd performed 126,207 Medicare services across 5,785 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Shepherd received a total of $2,385 from 38 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 127 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in hematology & 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. Shepherd 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 6% volume in GA
$2,385 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗126,207
Medicare services
Top 6% in GA for hematology & oncology
5,785
Unique beneficiaries
$13
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~6,642 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron infusion (Feraheme) An injection of ferumoxytol used to treat iron deficiency anemia in patients not on dialysis. |
39,270 | $0 | $4 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 21,105 | $8 | $31 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 15,480 | $18 | $74 |
| Pembrolizumab injection (Keytruda) | 15,200 | $41 | $171 |
| Epoetin alfa injection (Procrit) for anemia An injection of epoetin alfa containing 1000 units for use in patients not on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) dialysis. |
6,950 | $6 | $42 |
| Paclitaxel chemotherapy injection | 6,414 | $0 | $1 |
| Iron infusion (Monoferric) | 3,200 | $15 | $80 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
2,382 | $0 | $3 |
| 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. |
2,176 | $87 | $418 |
| 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. |
1,873 | $8 | $38 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
1,808 | $8 | $13 |
| 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. |
910 | $10 | $78 |
| 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. |
838 | $4 | $22 |
| Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level test A blood test that measures the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme found in many body tissues. It helps assess tissue damage or disease. |
833 | $6 | $30 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
785 | $10 | $66 |
| Flow cytometry, additional marker An additional marker is tested during a flow cytometry procedure to analyze DNA or cells. This step adds specific data points to the initial analysis. |
552 | $16 | $139 |
| Additional sequential IV infusion, 1 hour or less This code represents an additional intravenous infusion administered sequentially to a primary infusion. It covers the administration time of one hour or less. |
491 | $20 | $237 |
| Pegfilgrastim injection, 0.5 mg An injection of pegfilgrastim, a medication that stimulates the production of white blood cells. This specific code applies to the brand-name drug and excludes biosimilar versions. |
360 | $89 | $637 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
309 | $89 | $589 |
| Carboplatin chemotherapy injection, 50 mg Administration of a 50 mg dose of carboplatin, a chemotherapy medication, via injection. |
307 | $2 | $11 |
| Immunoglobulin level test A blood test that measures the level of gammaglobulins, which are immune system proteins. |
297 | $9 | $40 |
| Basic blood chemical test (calcium, ionized) A blood test that measures basic chemical levels, specifically including calcium and ionized calcium. |
280 | $13 | $48 |
| Vitamin B-12 injection An injection of vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) with a dose of up to 1000 mcg. |
276 | $1 | $7 |
| Anti-nausea injection (ondansetron/Zofran) | 232 | $0 | $1 |
| Ferritin level test (iron stores) A blood test that measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in the body. |
229 | $13 | $48 |
| Iron level test | 219 | $6 | $28 |
| Iron binding capacity test A blood test that measures the amount of iron in the blood and the blood's ability to bind and transport iron. |
219 | $9 | $38 |
| Nephelometry test A laboratory test that uses light scattering to measure the concentration of specific substances in a sample. |
188 | $13 | $48 |
| Vitamin B-12 level test A blood test that measures the amount of vitamin B-12 in your body. |
158 | $15 | $74 |
| Normal saline infusion, 500 ml Administration of sterile normal saline solution through an intravenous line. This procedure involves the infusion of a 500 ml unit of the solution. |
157 | $1 | $5 |
| Folic acid level test A blood test that measures the amount of folic acid in the serum. |
142 | $14 | $64 |
| Diphenhydramine injection, up to 50 mg An injection of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine medication, administered in a dose of up to 50 milligrams. |
137 | $1 | $2 |
| Automated red blood cell count An automated laboratory test that measures the number of red blood cells in a blood sample. |
135 | $4 | $17 |
| Basic metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of basic chemicals, including total calcium levels. |
122 | $8 | $48 |
| Intravenous infusion of new drug or substance, 1 hour or less This procedure involves administering a new medication or substance directly into a vein through an existing access site. The infusion is completed within one hour or less. |
114 | $44 | $254 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 111 | $148 | $709 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
108 | $20 | $115 |
| Injection, fosnetupitant 235 mg and palonosetron 0.25 mg | 104 | $321 | $2,115 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
102 | $16 | $73 |
| Intravenous infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of medication or fluid directly into a vein for therapeutic, preventive, or diagnostic purposes. The procedure lasts one hour or less. |
93 | $43 | $289 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
92 | $5 | $45 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
85 | $11 | $68 |
| Subcutaneous or intramuscular chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering anti-cancer hormonal medication through an injection into the tissue under the skin or into a muscle. |
80 | $24 | $116 |
| Intravenous drug injection A procedure involving the administration of a medication or substance directly into a vein. |
78 | $26 | $151 |
| Unclassified drug A medication that does not fit into standard HCPCS or CPT classification categories. |
72 | $0 | $2 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 21-30 minutes A telephone conversation with a physician lasting between 21 and 30 minutes. This code covers the time spent discussing medical matters over the phone. |
70 | $90 | $386 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
69 | $50 | $298 |
| Normal saline infusion, 1000 cc Administration of 1000 cc of normal saline solution into a vein. This procedure involves the intravenous delivery of a sterile saltwater solution. |
69 | $2 | $9 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
68 | $9 | $39 |
| Additional hour of intravenous infusion This code represents each additional hour of intravenous infusion beyond the initial hour for therapy, prevention, or diagnosis. |
59 | $14 | $73 |
| Blood creatinine level test A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product from muscle wear and tear, to help assess kidney function. |
58 | $5 | $22 |
| Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level test A blood test that measures the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) protein. This test is used to monitor certain types of cancer. |
56 | $19 | $82 |
| Magnesium level test A blood test to measure the amount of magnesium in your body. This helps check for magnesium deficiency or excess. |
56 | $7 | $29 |
| 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. |
52 | $126 | $495 |
| PSA test (prostate cancer screening) | 50 | $18 | $79 |
| Liver function blood test panel | 47 | $8 | $40 |
| Total cortisol level test A blood test that measures the total amount of cortisol hormone in your body. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. |
45 | $16 | $57 |
| Intravenous hydration infusion, 31-60 minutes Administration of fluids into a vein to maintain hydration. This procedure involves an infusion lasting between 31 and 60 minutes. |
42 | $23 | $152 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
40 | $29 | $128 |
| 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. |
35 | $158 | $1,123 |
| On-body injector for subcutaneous injection A device is applied to the skin to automatically deliver a medication injection under the skin. |
35 | $13 | $78 |
| 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. |
35 | $58 | $283 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
34 | $78 | $745 |
| 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. |
31 | $123 | $706 |
| 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. |
27 | $57 | $253 |
| Urinalysis, manual A manual laboratory examination of a urine sample to check for various substances and cells. |
25 | $3 | $12 |
| Flu vaccine, high-dose High-dose seasonal influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 and older. Contains four times the antigen of standard-dose flu vaccines (60 mcg per strain), split-virus formulation, preservative-free, single-dose syringe. |
25 | $68 | $187 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
25 | $29 | $58 |
| Flow cytometry DNA or cell analysis, first marker A laboratory test that uses a laser to analyze cells or DNA by detecting a specific marker on the cell surface or within the cell. |
24 | $50 | $245 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, high complexity Subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care for an existing patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 50 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
16 | $84 | $363 |
| 3D screening mammography (tomosynthesis) A screening imaging test of the breast using 3D technology to detect potential abnormalities. |
14 | $20 | $187 |
| Screening mammography An X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. |
14 | $79 | $457 |
| 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. |
13 | $55 | $598 |
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.
34.7% high complexity
55.8% medium
9.4% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$2,385
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $341/year across 7 years
Bottom 41% in GA for hematology & oncology
38
Companies
127
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
$2,373 (99.5%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$12 (0.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$370
2023
$403
2022
$509
2021
$495
2020
$97
2019
$308
2018
$204
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$55
GENZYME CORPORATION
$40
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$39
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$35
Stemline Therapeutics Inc.
$33
Genmab U.S., Inc.
$32
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$27
Celgene Corporation
$24
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$24
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$21
RECORDATI_RARE_DISEASES_INC.
$20
JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$20
Top 3 companies account for 36.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$326
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$274
AbbVie Inc.
$147
Sirtex Medical Inc
$138
Pharmacyclics LLC, An AbbVie Company
$113
PFIZER INC.
$108
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$100
Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company
$99
Genentech USA, Inc.
$84
ABBVIE INC.
$79
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$77
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$63
Amgen Inc.
$60
Celgene Corporation
$58
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$48
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$47
GENZYME CORPORATION
$40
Puma Biotechnology, Inc.
$39
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$38
Kite Pharma, Inc.
$37
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$36
MEDIVATION FIELD SOLUTIONS LLC
$35
Stemline Therapeutics Inc.
$33
Genmab U.S., Inc.
$32
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation
$30
EMD Serono, Inc.
$24
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$24
Coherus Biosciences Inc.
$24
EISAI INC.
$22
RECORDATI_RARE_DISEASES_INC.
$20
JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$20
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$18
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$17
BeiGene USA, Inc.
$16
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.
$16
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$15
Tactile Systems Technology Inc
$15
ARRAY BIOPHARMA INC
$14
Top 3 companies account for 31.3% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ADAKVEO · BRAFTOVI · BRUKINSA · Bavencio · DARZALEX · EPKINLY · ERLEADA · Enhertu · Epkinly · FRUZAQLA · Flexitouch Plus · GAZYVA · Halaven · IBRANCE · ICLUSIG · IMBRUVICA · Imbruvica · JEMPERLI · KEYTRUDA · KISQALI · Kadcyla · LUTATHERA · LYNPARZA · MEKINIST · Nerlynx · Nplate · ONUREG · OPDUALAG · Orserdu · Perjeta · Pomalyst · REBLOZYL · SARCLISA · SIR-Spheres Microspheres · SYLVANT · Stivarga · TALVEY · Tavalisse · Udenyca · VENCLEXTA · XOSPATA · XPOVIO · XTANDI · Yescarta · ZEJULA · ZEPZELCA · clonoSEQ
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
Hematology & oncology specialists within 10 mi
10
Per 100K population
12.4
County median income
$85,012
Nearest hospital
ST MARY'S HOSPITAL
5.4 mi
5.4 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. Shepherd is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 6% in GA), with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Shepherd experienced with iron infusion (feraheme)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Shepherd performed 39,270 iron infusion (feraheme) 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. Shepherd receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Shepherd received a total of $2,385 from 38 companies across 127 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. Shepherd's costs compare to other hematology & oncology specialists in Athens?
Dr. Shepherd's average Medicare payment per service is $13. 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. Shepherd) 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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