Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Hugh Smisson
Optician · Macon, 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. Smisson 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. Smisson
Dr. Hugh Smisson is an optician specialist in Macon, GA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Smisson performed 4,554 Medicare services across 1,332 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Smisson received a total of $2,991 from 35 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 100 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. 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. Smisson 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 12% volume in GA
$2,991 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗4,554
Medicare services
Top 12% in GA for optician
1,332
Unique beneficiaries
$42
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~228 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI contrast dye injection (gadobutrol) | 2,775 | $0 | $6 |
| 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. |
478 | $61 | $356 |
| 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. |
128 | $86 | $200 |
| 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. |
104 | $25 | $374 |
| Electromyography of arm or leg muscles A test that measures the electrical activity in the muscles of the arm or leg using a needle electrode. It helps evaluate the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. |
94 | $68 | $603 |
| 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. |
88 | $60 | $163 |
| 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. |
81 | $79 | $264 |
| Injection of anesthetic or steroid into sacroiliac joint with imaging guidance This procedure involves injecting an anesthetic or steroid medication into the joint connecting the lower spine and hip bone. Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the injection. |
76 | $67 | $1,463 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and structures. |
71 | $27 | $263 |
| Injection into lower spine canal with imaging guidance A procedure where a substance is injected into the lower part of the spinal canal. The injection is performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
68 | $72 | $1,615 |
| Limited needle EMG of arm or leg muscles A test that measures the electrical activity in specific muscles of the arm or leg using a needle electrode. This limited study evaluates muscle function in a targeted area. |
65 | $42 | $383 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
32 | $21 | $548 |
| Spine fusion with cage or mesh device insertion A surgical procedure to fuse spine bones by inserting a cage or mesh device into the disc space. |
30 | $171 | $2,810 |
| 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. |
30 | $110 | $361 |
| Nerve conduction study, 9-10 studies A diagnostic test that measures how well nerves send electrical signals. It involves performing 9 to 10 separate nerve conduction studies to evaluate nerve function. |
29 | $148 | $1,535 |
| CT scan of lower spine, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the lower spine using X-rays without the use of contrast dye. |
27 | $86 | $1,677 |
| 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. |
27 | $134 | $3,113 |
| 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. |
27 | $125 | $3,113 |
| Nerve conduction studies, 7-8 tests A series of 7 to 8 nerve conduction tests to evaluate how well nerves are sending signals to muscles. |
26 | $108 | $1,277 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
25 | $8 | $20 |
| 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. |
24 | $67 | $1,314 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
22 | $34 | $353 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, low complexity Follow-up hospital visit for an established patient with straightforward or low-level medical decision making. The visit requires at least 25 minutes of time spent on the day of service. |
22 | $38 | $121 |
| Spine facet joint injection with imaging guidance, single level An injection is administered into a single facet joint of the lower or sacral spine while using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
21 | $79 | $2,114 |
| X-ray of sacroiliac joint, 3 or more views An X-ray imaging test that takes three or more pictures of the joint connecting the lower spine to the hip bone. |
21 | $27 | $233 |
| Fusion of spine in lower back | 18 | $1,176 | $10,741 |
| Partial removal of spine bone with nerve release A surgical procedure involving the partial removal of spinal bone to release pressure on the lower spinal cord or nerves, and/or the removal of a spinal disc. |
18 | $474 | $9,837 |
| Spinal fusion with disc removal and nerve release, 1 disc This surgery connects two or more vertebrae in the upper spine to stabilize the area. It involves removing a damaged disc and relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerve. |
17 | $1,231 | $11,688 |
| Computer-assisted spinal procedure A surgical or diagnostic procedure involving the spine that utilizes computer technology to assist with planning, navigation, or execution. |
16 | $178 | $1,810 |
| MRI of lower spine with and without contrast An MRI scan of the lower spinal canal performed both before and after the administration of contrast dye to enhance image detail. |
16 | $231 | $4,759 |
| Spinal stabilization device placement, 2-3 segments Surgical placement of a device to stabilize the front of two to three spinal segments. |
15 | $483 | $8,642 |
| Pelvic joint fusion with imaging guidance A surgical procedure to join bones in the pelvic joint together. Imaging technology is used to guide the surgeon during the operation. |
15 | $619 | $8,100 |
| Fusion of upper spine bone with removal of disc and release of spinal cord or nerve, each additional disc | 13 | $281 | $3,700 |
| Nerve conduction studies, 11-12 A diagnostic test that measures how well nerves send electrical signals. It involves performing 11 to 12 separate nerve conduction studies. |
13 | $175 | $1,732 |
| CT scan of lower spine with contrast A computed tomography scan of the lower spine using a contrast dye to enhance the images. This imaging test provides detailed views of the spinal structures. |
11 | $116 | $2,072 |
| Initial hospital admission, moderate complexity Initial hospital inpatient or observation care for a new patient involving moderate-level medical decision making, with at least 55 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
11 | $97 | $291 |
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.
2.0% high complexity
70.6% medium
27.3% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$2,991
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $427/year across 7 years
Top 31% in GA for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
35
Companies
100
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
$2,915 (97.5%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$76 (2.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$650
2023
$622
2022
$468
2021
$372
2020
$116
2019
$322
2018
$443
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Boston Scientific Corporation
$355
Medtronic, Inc.
$100
Zavation Medical Products, LLC
$72
Baxter Healthcare
$34
Stryker Corporation
$25
DJO, LLC
$24
Innovation Technologies Inc
$20
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
$19
Top 3 companies account for 81.2% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Boston Scientific Corporation
$990
Baxter Healthcare
$213
Nevro Corp.
$189
Medtronic USA, Inc.
$177
DJO, LLC
$132
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
$125
Stryker Corporation
$100
Medtronic, Inc.
$100
Integra LifeSciences Corporation
$89
PORTOLA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$83
Abbott Laboratories
$81
Benvenue Medical Inc
$76
Zavation Medical Products, LLC
$72
Titan Spine, LLC
$63
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
$53
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$37
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
$36
SK Life Science, Inc.
$35
SI-BONE, INC.
$33
SI-BONE, Inc.
$30
Synaptive Medical Inc.
$25
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$24
PARADIGM SPINE, LLC
$22
Aesculap, Inc.
$21
PROVIDENCE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
$21
Novo Nordisk Inc
$20
Innovation Technologies Inc
$20
Genentech USA, Inc.
$19
PFIZER INC.
$18
ARBOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$16
Aziyo Biologics, Inc.
$16
Electronic Waveform Lab, Inc.
$15
SPINAL ELEMENTS, INC.
$14
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$13
IRRAS USA, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 46.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
1.5mm Neuro · ADAPTIVESTIM · ADHERUS AUTOSPRAY DURAL SEALANT · ANASTOCLIP GC 8CM (MEDIUM) · ANDEXXA · Activase · BEVYXXA · BIOFIX · Biomet SpinalPak · Brightmatter Guide/Modus V · CMF · CMF SPINALOGIC · COVEREDGE · CoverEdge 32 · EBI Bone Healing System · ECM Patch · ELIQUIS · FLOSEAL · G4 RF Generator · GENERAL PAIN MANAGEMENT · GENERAL PAIN MANAGEMENT · Gliadel · IFUSE IMPLANT · IRRAFLOW · IRRISEPT · Kiva VCF Treatment System · LUPKYNIS · MAZOR X SYSTEM · MIDAS REX · MINOP MODULAR NEUROENDOSCOPY SYSTEM · MazorX - Renaissance · Medical Device · NA · Neuro Plating System · Omnia · PROCLAIM · Pouch · Proclaim IPG · Rybelsus · SPECTRA WAVEWRITER · SPINEJACK · Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System · Superion Indirect Decompression System · TITAN ENDOSKELETON · VISUALASE · WAVEWRITER ALPHA · WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16 · XARELTO · coflex · iFuse Implant
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 (98%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Opticians within 10 mi
52
Per 100K population
33.2
County median income
$50,747
Nearest hospital
ATRIUM HEALTH NAVICENT THE MEDICAL CENTER
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. Smisson is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 12% in GA), with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Smisson experienced with mri contrast dye injection (gadobutrol)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Smisson performed 2,775 mri contrast dye injection (gadobutrol) 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. Smisson receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Smisson received a total of $2,991 from 35 companies across 100 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. Smisson's costs compare to other opticians in Macon?
Dr. Smisson'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. Smisson) 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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