Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Alan Sanders, MD
Family Medicine · Blairsville, GA
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
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. Sanders 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. Sanders
Dr. Alan Sanders is a family medicine specialist in Blairsville, GA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Sanders performed 5,816 Medicare services across 4,321 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Sanders received a total of $6,496 from 35 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 403 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. Sanders 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 5% volume in GA
$6,496 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗5,816
Medicare services
Top 5% in GA for family medicine
4,321
Unique beneficiaries
$59
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~291 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
855 | $78 | $122 |
| Nursing facility visit, established patient, straightforward A follow-up visit by a healthcare provider at a nursing facility for an established patient. The visit involves straightforward medical decision making and lasts at least 10 minutes. |
378 | $26 | $42 |
| Advance care planning consultation, first 30 min A session focused on discussing and documenting future healthcare preferences and goals. This service covers the initial 30 minutes of the planning discussion. |
358 | $75 | $81 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
343 | $120 | $125 |
| Annual depression screening | 324 | $17 | $17 |
| 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. |
258 | $58 | $86 |
| Obesity behavioral counseling, 15 minutes A 15-minute face-to-face session focused on behavioral counseling to help manage obesity. |
237 | $24 | $25 |
| 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. |
220 | $20 | $33 |
| Annual intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease, 15 minutes A yearly, in-person session focused on intensive behavioral therapy to help manage cardiovascular disease. The session lasts for 15 minutes and is conducted with the patient individually. |
198 | $24 | $25 |
| Remote vital sign monitoring management, each additional 20 minutes This code covers the time spent by a provider managing patient data from remote vital sign monitoring devices. It applies to each additional 20-minute increment beyond the initial monthly service period. |
194 | $29 | $80 |
| Remote patient monitoring management, 20 min/month Management based on results from remote vital sign monitoring for the first 20 minutes per calendar month. |
154 | $35 | $100 |
| Remote patient monitoring device, 30 days Initial setup of devices for remote monitoring of body functions with daily data transmission or alerts. This service covers the first 30 days of the monitoring period. |
105 | $34 | $200 |
| Blood glucose test using hand-held instrument A test that measures the level of sugar in the blood using a portable device. The result helps monitor blood glucose levels. |
101 | $3 | $5 |
| Ultrasound of head and neck blood flow, bilateral An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the vessels of both the head and the neck. |
81 | $123 | $183 |
| 3D screening mammography (tomosynthesis) A screening imaging test of the breast using 3D technology to detect potential abnormalities. |
80 | $47 | $53 |
| Screening mammography An X-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. |
79 | $114 | $127 |
| 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. |
78 | $32 | $54 |
| 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. |
77 | $124 | $196 |
| Echocardiogram, transthoracic An ultrasound of the heart that uses color to show blood flow, rate, direction, and valve function. |
76 | $118 | $195 |
| 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. |
74 | $89 | $133 |
| 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. |
62 | $35 | $50 |
| 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. |
56 | $29 | $45 |
| Urinalysis, manual A manual laboratory examination of a urine sample to check for various substances and cells. |
56 | $3 | $3 |
| 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. |
51 | $130 | $134 |
| Complete ultrasound of aorta, vena cava, groin vessels or bypass grafts A complete ultrasound exam of the aorta, vena cava, groin vessels, or bypass grafts. This imaging test uses sound waves to visualize these blood vessels. |
51 | $106 | $177 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
51 | $0 | $1 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
47 | $25 | $44 |
| Smoking cessation counseling, 4-10 minutes A brief counseling session focused on helping patients quit smoking and tobacco use. The provider spends 4 to 10 minutes discussing strategies and support for cessation. |
42 | $14 | $14 |
| 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. |
41 | $21 | $34 |
| 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. |
40 | $18 | $31 |
| Drug test with direct observation A drug screening test performed under direct observation to ensure the sample is provided correctly. This method is used to verify the integrity of the specimen collection process. |
39 | $12 | $19 |
| 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. |
37 | $216 | $306 |
| MRI of leg joint, without contrast A magnetic resonance imaging scan of a joint in the leg performed without the use of contrast dye. |
36 | $134 | $206 |
| 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. |
36 | $129 | $184 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, preservative-free A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus, formulated without preservatives, administered in a 0.5 ml dose. |
36 | $21 | $21 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to create images of the arteries in one leg or any grafts present in that leg. |
36 | $81 | $140 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
36 | $17 | $18 |
| 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. |
35 | $77 | $107 |
| Nursing facility visit, low complexity A daily follow-up visit for an existing patient in a nursing facility involving straightforward medical decision making. The visit requires at least 15 minutes of time if time is used to determine the level of care. |
34 | $50 | $65 |
| 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. |
34 | $37 | $51 |
| 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. |
33 | $20 | $33 |
| 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. |
30 | $137 | $200 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
30 | $64 | $107 |
| 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. |
30 | $33 | $53 |
| 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. |
29 | $34 | $37 |
| EKG interpretation and report A standard electrocardiogram test that records the heart's electrical activity using at least 12 leads. The service includes a professional interpretation of the results and a written report. |
29 | $5 | $8 |
| 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. |
29 | $103 | $161 |
| Remote physiologic monitoring setup and education Initial setup of remote monitoring equipment and patient education on its use. |
29 | $13 | $50 |
| MRI of arm joint, without contrast An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the arm joint. This specific procedure is performed without the use of a contrast dye. |
28 | $126 | $207 |
| 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. |
27 | $77 | $106 |
| Routine 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) A test that records the electrical activity of the heart using at least 12 leads to produce a tracing. |
27 | $4 | $5 |
| 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. |
26 | $125 | $173 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
24 | $104 | $184 |
| 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. |
24 | $24 | $43 |
| 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. |
23 | $127 | $196 |
| 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. |
23 | $53 | $84 |
| 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. |
23 | $67 | $113 |
| 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. |
21 | $24 | $35 |
| 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. |
20 | $225 | $328 |
| Complete ultrasound of retroperitoneum An ultrasound examination of the structures located behind the abdominal cavity. |
20 | $70 | $104 |
| Ultrasound of leg arteries or grafts An imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the blood vessels in the legs or any surgical grafts present. |
20 | $154 | $232 |
| Complete ultrasound of abdomen A diagnostic imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs and structures within the abdomen. |
18 | $84 | $113 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
17 | $44 | $62 |
| 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. |
17 | $91 | $127 |
| 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. |
16 | $25 | $44 |
| Lung cancer screening counseling visit A visit to discuss the need for lung cancer screening using a low-dose CT scan. This service is used to determine eligibility and facilitate shared decision making. |
15 | $27 | $28 |
| CT scan of neck soft tissue with contrast A computed tomography scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the soft tissues in the neck. |
13 | $139 | $185 |
| Rib X-ray, bilateral, minimum 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the ribs on both sides of the body, using at least four different views to capture detailed images. |
13 | $35 | $48 |
| Elbow X-ray, minimum 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the elbow joint that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
13 | $21 | $30 |
| MRI of middle spinal canal, without contrast This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed pictures of the middle section of the spinal canal. It is performed without the use of contrast dye. |
12 | $131 | $196 |
| X-ray of finger, minimum of 2 views An X-ray imaging test of a finger using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
11 | $22 | $34 |
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.
2.2% high complexity
14.3% medium
83.6% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$6,496
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $928/year across 7 years
Top 10% in GA for family medicine
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
35
Companies
403
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
$6,496 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,100
2023
$844
2022
$794
2021
$1,239
2020
$1,075
2019
$629
2018
$814
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$167
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$148
Corcept Therapeutics
$134
Lilly USA, LLC
$92
ABBVIE INC.
$87
Amgen Inc.
$77
Eisai Inc.
$74
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$68
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$62
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$50
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$33
Novo Nordisk Inc
$30
PFIZER INC.
$18
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$17
Athena Bioscience, LLC
$15
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$14
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 40.8% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$1,014
Amgen Inc.
$705
Novo Nordisk Inc
$651
Lilly USA, LLC
$512
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$474
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$454
PFIZER INC.
$424
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$338
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$318
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$225
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$190
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$149
Corcept Therapeutics
$134
AbbVie Inc.
$113
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$100
ABBVIE INC.
$100
Eisai Inc.
$99
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$71
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
$62
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$45
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
$42
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$42
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$36
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$20
Shire North American Group Inc
$19
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$18
Valeritas, Inc.
$18
EISAI INC.
$18
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$17
Dexcom, Inc.
$17
IDORSIA PHARMACEUTICALS US INC
$17
Athena Bioscience, LLC
$15
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$14
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
$14
Top 3 companies account for 36.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AIRSUPRA · ANORO · ANORO ELLIPTA · AREXVY · Aimovig · BASAGLAR · BELSOMRA · BREZTRI · BREZTRI AEROSPHERE · CAMZYOS · CHANTIX · Dayvigo · Dexcom G6 Transmitter · ELIQUIS · EMGALITY · ENTRESTO · EVENITY · FARXIGA · GATTEX · INJECTAFER · INVOKANA · JANUVIA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · Korlym · LEQVIO · LINZESS · Leqembi · MOUNJARO · MYRBETRIQ · NEXLETOL · NUZYRA · OFEV · Otezla · Ozempic · PREMARIN · Prolia · QDOLO · QUVIVIQ · REXULTI · RYBELSUS · Repatha · Rybelsus · SOLIQUA · SOLIQUA 100/33 · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · SYMBICORT · TOUJEO · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRINTELLIX · TRULICITY · Tresiba · UBRELVY · V-GO · VRAYLAR · VYVANSE · Vascepa · Victoza · XARELTO · XIFAXAN · 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 (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians. Total industry engagement is in the top 10% for family medicine in GA.
Geographic Context
Family medicine physicians within 10 mi
72
Per 100K population
281.3
County median income
$65,697
Nearest hospital
UNION GENERAL 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 reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Sanders is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 5% in GA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 10% of GA peers, 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. Sanders experienced with office visit, established patient (30-39 min)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Sanders performed 855 office visit, established patient (30-39 min) 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. Sanders receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Sanders received a total of $6,496 from 35 companies across 403 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. Sanders's costs compare to other family medicine physicians in Blairsville?
Dr. Sanders's average Medicare payment per service is $59. 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. Sanders) 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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