Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Jim Lu, MD
Anatomic Pathology Physician · Buffalo Grove, IL
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
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. Lu 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. Lu
Dr. Jim Lu is an anatomic pathology physician in Buffalo Grove, IL, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Lu performed 19,122 Medicare services in 2023. These records do not provide a deduplicated patient total.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Lu received a total of $39 from 2 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 2 payment records. A record can group multiple payments. These transfers are publicly reported through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their effect on care. A reliable breakdown by payment category is not available in this snapshot. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Lu 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 of NPI registration
▲ Top 2% volume in IL
$39 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary — 2023
Medicare Utilization ↗19,122
Medicare services
Top 2% in IL for anatomic pathology physician
Not available
Unique patients (not deduplicated)
$139
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
5,721 | $46 | $385 |
| Special tissue stain and interpretation A laboratory test using special stains to examine tissue samples, including the pathologist's review and written report of the findings. |
2,867 | $50 | $259 |
| Special stain test for organisms A laboratory test using special stains on tissue slides to identify microorganisms. The process includes the technical preparation of the slides and a professional interpretation of the results. |
2,056 | $84 | $263 |
| Tissue staining for diagnosis, initial A laboratory test where special stains are applied to tissue slides to help examine the cells and identify specific characteristics. |
1,608 | $71 | $406 |
| Tissue staining for diagnosis, additional An extra laboratory procedure to apply special stains to tissue slides for detailed examination. |
1,318 | $65 | $392 |
| Special tissue stain, multiplex A laboratory procedure using special stains to examine tissue samples. This multiplex technique allows for the analysis of multiple markers on a single slide. |
1,292 | $134 | $440 |
| Manual urine cell examination A laboratory test where a technician manually examines a urine sample under a microscope to identify and count cells. |
584 | $469 | $1,525 |
| Prostate needle biopsy pathology exam Laboratory examination of prostate tissue samples obtained via needle biopsy. The pathologist inspects the tissue both visually and under a microscope to identify any abnormalities. |
542 | $202 | $695 |
| Cell examination of specimen, concentration technique A laboratory test that uses a concentration technique to examine cells from a specimen. |
539 | $50 | $293 |
| Additional manual multiplex genetic stain A microscopic genetic analysis performed manually using an additional multiplex stain procedure on tissue. |
477 | $283 | $772 |
| Cell examination with selective cellular enhancement A laboratory test that examines cells from a specimen using a technique to selectively enhance specific cellular features for detailed analysis. |
461 | $23 | $98 |
| 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. |
451 | $20 | $96 |
| BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene analysis A genetic test that examines the full sequence of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to detect duplication or deletion variants. |
425 | $1,780 | $5,069 |
| DNA testing for genetic defects A laboratory test that analyzes DNA to identify specific genetic abnormalities or mutations. This procedure is used to detect inherited conditions or predispositions associated with genetic defects. |
148 | $21 | $239 |
| Blood and lymphatic disorder gene panel, 51+ genes A genetic test that analyzes DNA or RNA from 51 or more genes linked to blood and lymphatic system disorders. |
112 | $2,861 | $6,344 |
| Chromosome analysis for genetic defects, 100-300 cells A laboratory test that examines 100 to 300 cells to analyze chromosomes for genetic defects. |
76 | $50 | $229 |
| Manual microscopic genetic analysis of tumor A laboratory test that uses a microscope to manually examine tumor tissue for genetic changes. |
74 | $86 | $321 |
| Moderately high complexity pathology tissue examination A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This specific level of complexity involves a moderate to high degree of technical skill and interpretation. |
68 | $220 | $645 |
| Manual specimen preparation A healthcare provider manually prepares a medical specimen for testing or analysis. |
41 | $165 | $403 |
| Pathology tissue examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to identify abnormalities. This specific level indicates a moderate degree of complexity in the analysis. |
40 | $35 | $108 |
| COVID-19 antibody test A blood test that detects antibodies to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It provides a qualitative or semi-quantitative result to indicate whether antibodies are present. |
23 | $44 | $100 |
| SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay test A laboratory test using immunoassay techniques to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. |
23 | $35 | $100 |
| Genetic test interpretation and report A healthcare provider reviews the results of genetic testing and provides a written report explaining the findings. |
23 | $26 | $88 |
| Chemical analysis of stone Laboratory testing to determine the chemical composition of a stone specimen. |
19 | $13 | $195 |
| Limited pathology tissue examination A microscopic examination of tissue samples to identify abnormalities. This limited exam focuses on specific aspects of the tissue rather than a comprehensive analysis. |
19 | $14 | $56 |
| Molecular pathology procedure A laboratory test that analyzes DNA, RNA, or other genetic material to detect specific molecular changes. This procedure is used to identify genetic markers or mutations in a patient's sample. |
17 | $274 | $298 |
| 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. |
17 | $62 | $290 |
| Gene analysis (partner and localizer of brca2) targeted sequence analysis | 16 | $269 | $3,420 |
| COVID-19 viral test, high throughput A laboratory test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus using high-throughput technology. This test identifies multiple types or subtypes of the virus and is performed by non-CDC laboratories. |
15 | $74 | $100 |
| KRAS gene variant analysis, codons 12 and 13 A laboratory test that analyzes the KRAS gene to detect specific genetic variants located in codons 12 and 13. |
14 | $189 | $483 |
| Neuroblastoma cancer gene analysis A laboratory test that analyzes genes to detect or evaluate neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells. |
13 | $290 | $739 |
| BRAF gene analysis A laboratory test that examines the BRAF gene to identify specific genetic variations or mutations. |
12 | $172 | $439 |
| Flow cytometry, 16 or more markers A laboratory test that uses lasers to analyze cells or DNA using 16 or more different markers. This technique helps identify and characterize specific cell types based on their physical and chemical properties. |
11 | $68 | $279 |
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. These counts do not measure clinical quality or years of experience.
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$39
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $19/year across 2 years
Bottom 15% in IL for anatomic pathology physician
2
Companies
2
Payment records
Payments are publicly reported; disclosure does not establish legality · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment categories are unavailable while the source breakdown is being rebuilt. Company and year totals do not identify how much belongs to each category.
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$27
2018
$11
Payments by company (2024)
Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC
$27
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Dendreon Pharmaceuticals LLC
$27
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
PROVENGE · Xofigo
Should you be concerned? Industry payments are disclosed through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their purpose, legality, or effect on care. 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 →
Geographic Context
Anatomic pathology physicians in nearby ZIP areas
36
County median income
$108,917
Nearest hospital to ZIP centroid (approximate)
NORTHWESTERN LAKE FOREST HOSPITAL
7.0 mi
7.0 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | NPPES snapshot; verify current record |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | PECOS snapshot |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not included | 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. Lu is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 2% in IL), 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. Lu experienced with tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Lu performed 5,721 tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity services. These records cover Medicare fee-for-service activity, including eligible younger beneficiaries; they do not measure total practice volume or clinical quality.
Does Dr. Lu receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Lu received a total of $39 from 2 companies across 2 payment records. A record can group multiple payments. These transfers are publicly disclosed through CMS Open Payments. Disclosure alone does not establish their legality or effect on care. 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. Lu's costs compare to other anatomic pathology physicians in Buffalo Grove?
Dr. Lu's average Medicare payment per service is $139. 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. Lu) 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 the presence of registry, enrollment, activity or payment records, not verified experience or clinical quality. 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?
Source publication dates and the snapshots loaded on this site can differ. Rebuilding a page does not refresh its source records. Check the Medicare reporting year and the payment interval shown above; consult the linked official sources for newer releases and current registry details. See our data freshness policy →
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About this page
This page combines public CMS records with calculated summaries and explanatory procedure labels. These transformations are not verbatim federal records. Sources: 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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