Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Nisarg Gandhi, M.D.
Rheumatology · Des Plaines, IL
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Speaking/Promotional
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. Gandhi 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. Gandhi?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Gandhi
Dr. Nisarg Gandhi is a rheumatology specialist in Des Plaines, IL, with 14 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Gandhi performed 29,870 Medicare services across 4,057 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Gandhi received a total of $846 from 8 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 16 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Gandhi 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.
✓ 14 years in practice
▲ Top 24% volume in IL
$846 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗29,870
Medicare services
Top 24% in IL for rheumatology
4,057
Unique beneficiaries
$19
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~2,134 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
10,846 | $10 | $25 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 6,600 | $18 | $29 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
3,180 | $26 | $50 |
| 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. |
881 | $97 | $175 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
698 | $3 | $3 |
| Magnesium level test A blood test to measure the amount of magnesium in your body. This helps check for magnesium deficiency or excess. |
611 | $7 | $9 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
610 | $10 | $14 |
| Normal saline infusion, 250 cc Administration of 250 cubic centimeters of normal saline solution into a vein. This procedure involves the intravenous delivery of a sterile saltwater fluid. |
584 | $1 | $5 |
| 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. |
514 | $8 | $10 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube to detect inflammation in the body. This specific method is performed manually rather than using an automated machine. |
466 | $4 | $5 |
| 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. |
460 | $5 | $7 |
| Cystatin C level test A blood test that measures the level of cystatin C, a protein produced by cells in the body. This measurement is used to help assess kidney function. |
450 | $18 | $19 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
380 | $17 | $27 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
363 | $1 | $5 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
310 | $23 | $164 |
| 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. |
292 | $52 | $100 |
| Chronic care management services Comprehensive assessment and care planning for patients requiring ongoing chronic care management. |
283 | $50 | $131 |
| 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. |
277 | $11 | $65 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
261 | $29 | $42 |
| Chronic care management, first 30 minutes This service covers the initial 30 minutes of care coordination for patients with two or more chronic conditions. It is provided personally by a healthcare professional each calendar month. |
202 | $70 | $100 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
182 | $103 | $325 |
| 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. |
149 | $51 | $102 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
124 | $11 | $19 |
| Additional hour of intravenous infusion This code represents each additional hour of intravenous infusion beyond the initial hour for therapy, prevention, or diagnosis. |
109 | $17 | $37 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
108 | $46 | $98 |
| 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. |
99 | $39 | $100 |
| Chronic care management, additional 30 minutes This service covers an extra 30 minutes of care management provided by a healthcare professional for patients with two or more chronic conditions. It is billed per calendar month in addition to the standard chronic care management time. |
95 | $50 | $101 |
| 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. |
91 | $2 | $3 |
| 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. |
79 | $11 | $17 |
| DNA antibody test (native or double-stranded) A blood test that measures the level of antibodies targeting native or double-stranded DNA. This test is used to detect the presence of these specific antibodies in the body. |
78 | $13 | $20 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
66 | $25 | $41 |
| 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. |
66 | $135 | $200 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) of hip, pelvis, and spine This test measures bone density in the hip, pelvis, and spine to assess bone strength. It also includes an assessment for spine fractures. |
60 | $53 | $90 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, small joint Removal of fluid from a small joint or injection of medication into a small joint. |
43 | $35 | $73 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 41 | $5 | $9 |
| 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. |
38 | $58 | $155 |
| 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. |
37 | $4 | $8 |
| 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. |
25 | $6 | $15 |
| Principal care management for high-risk disease, first 30 minutes This service covers the initial 30 minutes of clinical staff time per calendar month to manage a single high-risk disease. It is directed by a healthcare professional. |
22 | $51 | $80 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
20 | $32 | $48 |
| Flu vaccine, quadrivalent A flu shot containing four strains of the influenza virus to help prevent seasonal influenza infection. |
19 | $76 | $125 |
| Hyaluronan intra-articular injection An injection of hyaluronan or a derivative into a joint to provide lubrication and cushioning. |
19 | $559 | $1,200 |
| 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. |
18 | $29 | $42 |
| 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. |
14 | $40 | $78 |
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.
50.4% high complexity
25.8% medium
23.8% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$846
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $212/year across 4 years
Bottom 37% in IL for rheumatology
8
Companies
16
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.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$564 (66.7%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$282 (33.3%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$417
2023
$264
2022
$131
2018
$34
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$373
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$23
Amgen Inc.
$22
Top 3 companies account for 100.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
ABBVIE INC.
$443
US Oncology Corporate, Inc.
$141
Amgen Inc.
$94
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$85
PFIZER INC.
$34
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$23
Bio Products Laboratory USA, Inc.
$14
Biogen, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 80.2% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
COSENTYX · Gammaplex · RINVOQ · SKYRIZI · TAVNEOS · TREMFYA · Tavneos · VUMERITY · XELJANZ
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 →
The majority of payments (67%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in rheumatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
174
Per 100K population
3.4
County median income
$81,797
Nearest hospital
CHICAGO BEHAVIORAL 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. Gandhi is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 24% in IL), with speaking/promotional industry engagement.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Gandhi experienced with golimumab infusion (simponi aria)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Gandhi performed 10,846 golimumab infusion (simponi aria) 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. Gandhi receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Gandhi received a total of $846 from 8 companies across 16 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. Gandhi's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Des Plaines?
Dr. Gandhi's average Medicare payment per service is $19. 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. Gandhi) 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
Same specialty & city
Rheumatologists in Des Plaines
Browse rheumatologists in Des Plaines ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Rheumatologists in IL
Rheumatologists ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Rheumatologists in IL
Which IL rheumatologists receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
ABBVIE INC. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from ABBVIE INC.
By company
US Oncology Corporate, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from US Oncology Corporate, Inc.
By company
Amgen Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Amgen Inc.
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