Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Brent Flickinger, MD
Rheumatology · Gainesville, 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. Flickinger 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. Flickinger
Dr. Brent Flickinger is a rheumatology specialist in Gainesville, GA, with 19 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Flickinger performed 193,018 Medicare services across 3,808 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Flickinger received a total of $19,448 from 41 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 1170 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. 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. Flickinger 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 3% volume in GA
$19,448 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗193,018
Medicare services
Top 3% in GA for rheumatology
3,808
Unique beneficiaries
$12
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~10,159 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) | 64,757 | $5 | $11 |
| Certolizumab injection (Cimzia) An injection of certolizumab pegol administered under the direct supervision of a physician. |
55,600 | $4 | $15 |
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
25,570 | $11 | $50 |
| 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. |
23,001 | $34 | $90 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 6,512 | $8 | $17 |
| Rituximab injection, 10 mg Administration of a 10 mg dose of rituximab medication via injection. |
5,986 | $63 | $175 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
1,910 | $25 | $110 |
| Infliximab-abda biosimilar injection, 10 mg This code represents the administration of a 10 mg dose of infliximab-abda, a biosimilar medication. It covers the injection of this specific pharmaceutical product. |
1,551 | $29 | $124 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 1,200 | $18 | $43 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
875 | $10 | $30 |
| 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. |
856 | $8 | $25 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
775 | $8 | $12 |
| 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. |
708 | $89 | $250 |
| C-reactive protein test (inflammation marker) A blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein to detect the presence of infection or inflammation in the body. |
687 | $5 | $18 |
| 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. |
461 | $46 | $130 |
| 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. |
328 | $11 | $35 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
270 | $93 | $500 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
253 | $20 | $150 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
234 | $3 | $10 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
216 | $12 | $45 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
160 | $6 | $30 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
152 | $22 | $58 |
| 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. |
119 | $60 | $175 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
75 | $29 | $95 |
| 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. |
72 | $4 | $15 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
71 | $11 | $35 |
| 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. |
71 | $118 | $320 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 125 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, with a dosage of up to 125 mg. |
64 | $4 | $20 |
| Immunoassay substance analysis, multiple step method A laboratory test that uses an immunoassay technique to analyze a substance. The process involves multiple steps to detect or measure the target material. |
60 | $11 | $30 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
49 | $42 | $175 |
| Cardiac enzyme level (CK-MB) test A blood test that measures the total level of creatine kinase, specifically the cardiac enzyme fraction, to help evaluate heart muscle damage. |
41 | $6 | $22 |
| Tuberculosis blood test (gamma interferon) A blood test that measures the immune system's response to tuberculosis bacteria using gamma interferon levels. |
38 | $61 | $150 |
| 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. |
35 | $25 | $63 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
31 | $9 | $38 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 30 | $6 | $20 |
| 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. |
28 | $35 | $150 |
| Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg | 28 | $6 | $19 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
25 | $13 | $45 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
24 | $29 | $30 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test that captures 2 to 3 views of the lower back and sacral spine to visualize the bones and joints in this area. |
22 | $27 | $68 |
| 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. |
17 | $29 | $70 |
| Flu vaccine, quadrivalent A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus to help prevent seasonal influenza infection. |
16 | $76 | $120 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
15 | $24 | $63 |
| 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. |
14 | $22 | $58 |
| Autoimmune disorder screening test A laboratory test used to screen for the presence of autoimmune disorders. |
11 | $12 | $40 |
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.
26.5% high complexity
70.8% medium
2.7% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$19,448
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $2,778/year across 7 years
Top 17% in GA for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
41
Companies
1,170
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
$19,264 (99.1%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$184 (0.9%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$4,048
2023
$3,900
2022
$3,491
2021
$2,177
2020
$818
2019
$2,438
2018
$2,575
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$1,230
Amgen Inc.
$594
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$412
UCB, Inc.
$357
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$349
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$185
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$162
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$122
GENZYME CORPORATION
$92
Organon Llc
$92
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$92
SOBI, INC
$71
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$60
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$60
PFIZER INC.
$40
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$33
Lilly USA, LLC
$30
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$28
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$23
Genentech USA, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 55.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
ABBVIE INC.
$3,272
UCB, Inc.
$1,859
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$1,804
Amgen Inc.
$1,765
PFIZER INC.
$1,154
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$1,142
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$920
AbbVie Inc.
$807
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$703
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$666
Lilly USA, LLC
$666
GENZYME CORPORATION
$628
Genentech USA, Inc.
$569
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$490
AbbVie, Inc.
$471
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$454
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$369
Celgene Corporation
$299
Radius Health, Inc.
$233
Horizon Pharma plc
$205
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$113
Organon Llc
$92
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$87
SOBI, INC
$87
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$86
Sobi, Inc
$65
Organon LLC
$55
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$48
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$41
Sandoz Inc.
$38
MEDEXUS PHARMA, INC.
$38
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$37
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$33
MEDAC PHARMA, INC.
$31
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$23
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
$20
Grifols USA, LLC
$20
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
$19
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$14
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$13
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 35.7% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AMJEVITA · AVSOLA · Actemra · Arcalyst · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · EVENITY · EVUSHELD · Enbrel · FORTEO · Gamunex-C · HADLIMA · HUMIRA · HYRIMOZ · Humira · IDACIO · INFLECTRA · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LUPKYNIS · LYRICA · Mitigare · NUCALA · OFEV · OPSUMIT · ORENCIA · Otezla · Otrexup · PREVNAR - 13 · PREVNAR 13 · PREVNAR 20 · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Prolia · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMLANDI · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STRENSIQ · Strensiq · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TEPEZZA · TREMFYA · Tavneos · Truxima · Tymlos · UPTRAVI · XELJANZ · XYOSTED · 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 →
Most payments (99%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
15
Per 100K population
7.2
County median income
$77,430
Nearest hospital
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, INC
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. Flickinger is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in GA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 17% of GA peers, 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. Flickinger experienced with tocilizumab injection (actemra)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Flickinger performed 64,757 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. Flickinger receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Flickinger received a total of $19,448 from 41 companies across 1,170 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. Flickinger's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Gainesville?
Dr. Flickinger's average Medicare payment per service is $12. 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. Flickinger) 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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