Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Samuel Church, MD
Family Medicine · Hiawassee, 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. Church 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. Church?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Church
Dr. Samuel Church is a family medicine specialist in Hiawassee, GA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Church performed 10,686 Medicare services across 5,449 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Church received a total of $4,135 from 33 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 238 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. Church 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 1% volume in GA
$4,135 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗10,686
Medicare services
Top 1% in GA for family medicine
5,449
Unique beneficiaries
$42
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~534 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) | 2,340 | $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. |
1,597 | $87 | $205 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
1,084 | $8 | $20 |
| 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. |
564 | $61 | $139 |
| Annual alcohol misuse screening, 5 to 15 minutes | 464 | $17 | $46 |
| 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. |
463 | $77 | $200 |
| Annual depression screening | 441 | $17 | $35 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
437 | $1 | $20 |
| Annual wellness visit, follow-up A follow-up annual wellness visit that includes a personalized prevention plan of service. |
433 | $122 | $225 |
| 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. |
426 | $25 | $35 |
| Obesity behavioral counseling, 15 minutes A 15-minute face-to-face session focused on behavioral counseling to help manage obesity. |
292 | $25 | $50 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
262 | $29 | $55 |
| Flu vaccine, quadrivalent A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus to help prevent seasonal influenza infection. |
255 | $76 | $85 |
| 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. |
181 | $10 | $50 |
| Chronic care management, first 20 min/month This service covers the first 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional each calendar month to manage chronic conditions. |
171 | $43 | $80 |
| Hemoglobin A1c test (diabetes monitoring) A blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. |
130 | $10 | $30 |
| Automated urinalysis An automated laboratory test performed on a urine sample to analyze its chemical and physical properties. The procedure uses machinery to detect various substances and cells within the urine. |
108 | $2 | $30 |
| Respiratory virus test for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and RSV A laboratory test that detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in an upper respiratory specimen. |
104 | $140 | $300 |
| Dexamethasone injection (steroid) An injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of 1 milligram. |
86 | $0 | $16 |
| 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. |
74 | $12 | $65 |
| 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. |
68 | $14 | $28 |
| 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. |
64 | $35 | $82 |
| 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. |
59 | $4 | $9 |
| 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. |
58 | $106 | $316 |
| Self-measured blood pressure monitoring The patient measures their own blood pressure at home using a monitoring device. This process allows for tracking blood pressure levels outside of a clinical setting. |
58 | $11 | $25 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
57 | $46 | $116 |
| Ear wax removal A procedure to remove impacted ear wax from the ear canal. |
38 | $29 | $95 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
35 | $68 | $200 |
| 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. |
35 | $282 | $568 |
| Pneumonia vaccine administration This procedure involves the injection of a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal disease. It is administered by a healthcare provider. |
35 | $29 | $40 |
| 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. |
34 | $208 | $301 |
| Chronic care management, additional 20 min/month This service covers an extra 20 minutes of clinical staff time directed by a healthcare professional for managing two or more chronic conditions each calendar month. |
31 | $33 | $58 |
| 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. |
29 | $76 | $207 |
| 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. |
28 | $3 | $5 |
| COVID-19 vaccine administration Administration of a single dose of the coronavirus vaccine. |
25 | $38 | $80 |
| Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (covid-19) vaccine, recombinant spike protein nanoparticle, saponin-based adjuvant, preservative free, 5 mcg/0.5ml dosage, for intramuscular use | 25 | $145 | $200 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 125 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, with a dosage of up to 125 mg. |
17 | $4 | $15 |
| 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. |
16 | $11 | $65 |
| Initial preventive physical examination, new Medicare beneficiary A comprehensive preventive health visit for new Medicare beneficiaries during their first 12 months of enrollment. The service is conducted as a face-to-face visit and is limited to preventive care. |
15 | $156 | $250 |
| Continuous external EKG monitoring, 8-15 days This procedure involves recording heart rhythm continuously using an external EKG device over a period of 8 to 15 days. |
13 | $1 | $8 |
| Continuous external EKG monitoring, 48 hours to 7 days This procedure involves recording the heart's electrical activity continuously using an external device for a period exceeding 48 hours but not more than 7 days. |
12 | $8 | $50 |
| Hemoglobin blood test A blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. |
11 | $2 | $20 |
| 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. |
11 | $154 | $294 |
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 ↗$4,135
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $591/year across 7 years
Top 17% in GA for family medicine
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
33
Companies
238
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
$4,135 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$374
2023
$359
2022
$657
2021
$990
2020
$710
2019
$531
2018
$515
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Abbott Laboratories
$93
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$74
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$48
Melinta Therapeutics, LLC
$36
Lilly USA, LLC
$33
Novo Nordisk Inc
$27
Exact Sciences Corporation
$24
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$22
Amgen Inc.
$18
Top 3 companies account for 57.4% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Amgen Inc.
$813
Novo Nordisk Inc
$787
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$284
Lilly USA, LLC
$258
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$235
Melinta Therapeutics, LLC
$201
Abbott Laboratories
$140
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$131
PFIZER INC.
$124
CSL Behring
$98
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$89
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$85
AbbVie Inc.
$80
ABBVIE INC.
$80
Allergan Inc.
$77
Melinta Therapeutics, Inc.
$75
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$67
Exact Sciences Corporation
$50
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$43
ALK-Abello, Inc
$43
Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.
$41
Amarin Pharma Inc.
$40
Mylan Specialty L.P.
$37
Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$31
Eisai Inc.
$31
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$31
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$30
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$27
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$26
Allergan, Inc.
$25
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$22
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$19
Radius Health, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 45.6% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AIMOVIG · AREXVY · Aimovig · BELSOMRA · BYSTOLIC · Baxdela · CHANTIX · CUVITRU · Cologuard Collection Kit · DUPIXENT · Dayvigo · ELIQUIS · EMGALITY · ENTRESTO · EVENITY · FARXIGA · FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 · FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 · GARDASIL 9 · Haegarda · INJECTAFER · INVOKANA · JARDIANCE · Kerendia · Kimyrsa · LINZESS · LYRICA · MOUNJARO · NEXLETOL · Odactra · Orbactiv · Otezla · Ozempic · PRALUENT · PRALUENT ALIROCUMAB INJECTION · PRE-PEN · PROQUAD · Prolia · RYBELSUS · Repatha · Rybelsus · SHINGRIX · SOLIQUA 100/33 · SPIRIVA RESPIMAT · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · TOUJEO · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TRULICITY · Tresiba · Tymlos · UBRELVY · VRAYLAR · Vascepa · Victoza · Wegovy · XARELTO · XIFAXANIBSD · Xultophy 100/3.6 · Yupelri
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
Family medicine physicians within 10 mi
78
Per 100K population
612.3
County median income
$58,400
Nearest hospital
CHATUGE REGIONAL 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. Church is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 1% in GA), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 17% 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. Church experienced with denosumab injection (prolia/xgeva)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Church performed 2,340 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. Church receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Church received a total of $4,135 from 33 companies across 238 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. Church's costs compare to other family medicine physicians in Hiawassee?
Dr. Church's average Medicare payment per service is $42. 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. Church) 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 →
Explore related providers
Specialty guide
Understanding Family Medicine
Common procedures, typical costs, and what industry payments mean in family medicine.
Same specialty & city
Family Medicine Physicians in Hiawassee
Browse family medicine physicians in Hiawassee ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Family Medicine Physicians in GA
Family medicine physicians ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Family Medicine Physicians in GA
Which GA family medicine physicians receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
Amgen Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Amgen Inc.
By company
Novo Nordisk Inc Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Novo Nordisk Inc.
By company
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
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.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology