Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Seth Kates, M.D.
Dermatology · Worcester, MA
Practice pattern: Clinical Cardiology
— Primarily office-based clinical cardiology
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. Kates 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. Kates
Dr. Seth Kates is a dermatology specialist in Worcester, MA, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Kates performed 12,123 Medicare services across 6,813 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Kates received a total of $73,947 from 51 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 1254 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in dermatology. 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. Kates 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 3% volume in MA
$73,947 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗12,123
Medicare services
Top 3% in MA for dermatology
6,813
Unique beneficiaries
$55
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~606 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of two to fourteen precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to eliminate abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
5,303 | $5 | $30 |
| 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. |
2,076 | $67 | $175 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growth, 1 Removal of a single precancerous skin growth. This procedure destroys abnormal skin cells to prevent them from developing into cancer. |
1,193 | $49 | $200 |
| 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. |
725 | $41 | $100 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
591 | $80 | $300 |
| 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. |
542 | $89 | $275 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
223 | $248 | $750 |
| Destruction of 15 or more precancerous skin growths This procedure involves the removal or destruction of fifteen or more precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to treat abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
191 | $125 | $425 |
| 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. |
144 | $72 | $225 |
| Additional skin growth biopsy Removal of a sample of an additional skin growth for laboratory examination. This code is used for each extra lesion biopsied during the same session. |
123 | $44 | $200 |
| New patient office visit, 15-29 minutes An initial office visit for a new patient lasting 15 to 29 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter meets this duration threshold. |
110 | $46 | $150 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters. |
103 | $123 | $750 |
| Surgical removal of facial skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The size of the removed tissue is between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters. |
92 | $119 | $800 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters on the body, arms, or legs. |
88 | $110 | $650 |
| Skin graft repair of eyelid, nose, ear, or lip, 10 sq cm or less A surgical procedure to repair a wound on the eyelid, nose, ear, or lip by transferring a small piece of skin. The transferred skin covers an area of 10 square centimeters or less. |
85 | $644 | $2,400 |
| 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. |
72 | $96 | $250 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the neck, hands, feet, or genitals that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. It is classified as an intermediate repair requiring layered closure. |
70 | $256 | $800 |
| Complicated wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound measuring between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters on areas such as the face, neck, hands, or feet. |
63 | $405 | $1,300 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 1.1 to 2.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
46 | $112 | $700 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 2.6-5.0 cm | 46 | $264 | $900 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
42 | $73 | $325 |
| Skin cancer removal, face/ears/eyes/nose/lips, 2.1-3.0 cm Surgical removal of a cancerous skin growth from the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. The procedure involves excising a lesion measuring between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters. |
36 | $140 | $900 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 2.1 to 3.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
34 | $131 | $800 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue is between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. |
26 | $189 | $850 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 7.6-12.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 7.6 and 12.5 centimeters. It includes cleaning the wound and closing it with sutures to promote healing. |
22 | $273 | $850 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The excised tissue measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters in diameter. |
18 | $89 | $450 |
| Full thickness skin graft to nose, ears, eyelids, or lips, 20 sq cm or less A surgical procedure where a full layer of skin is taken from a donor site and transplanted to the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips. The graft covers an area of 20 square centimeters or less. |
17 | $882 | $3,000 |
| Skin graft repair of eyelid, nose, ear, or lip, 10.1-30 sq cm This procedure involves repairing a wound on the eyelid, nose, ear, or lip by transferring skin from another area. The graft size covered is between 10.1 and 30.0 square centimeters. |
16 | $844 | $2,700 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 5.1-7.5 cm | 15 | $294 | $1,000 |
| Complicated wound repair, scalp/arms/legs, 2.6-7.5 cm A complex surgical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters in length. |
11 | $315 | $1,000 |
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 ↗$73,947
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $10,564/year across 7 years
Top 6% in MA for dermatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
51
Companies
1,254
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
$51,982 (70.3%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$21,965 (29.7%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$4,155
2023
$14,962
2022
$18,853
2021
$8,435
2020
$5,070
2019
$8,756
2018
$13,716
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$955
Incyte Corporation
$357
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$349
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$333
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$303
LEO Pharma Inc.
$230
Lilly USA, LLC
$210
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$204
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$190
UCB, Inc.
$168
GENZYME CORPORATION
$158
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$153
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$136
Amgen Inc.
$87
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$73
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$71
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$56
STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
$34
Organon Llc
$26
Sandoz Inc.
$24
PFIZER INC.
$21
Biofrontera Inc.
$17
Top 3 companies account for 40.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Allergan, Inc.
$22,865
Allergan Inc.
$16,030
ABBVIE INC.
$13,980
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$2,767
Amgen Inc.
$1,593
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$1,393
PFIZER INC.
$1,237
AbbVie Inc.
$1,186
Lilly USA, LLC
$1,081
LEO Pharma Inc.
$943
Incyte Corporation
$893
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$822
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$757
GENZYME CORPORATION
$688
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$657
Dermavant Sciences, Inc.
$657
AbbVie, Inc.
$647
Biofrontera Inc.
$626
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$526
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$491
UCB, Inc.
$480
Mission Pharmacal Company
$476
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$420
Celgene Corporation
$392
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$209
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$205
Genentech USA, Inc.
$205
Merz North America, Inc.
$177
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$165
PruGen, Inc. Pharmaceuticals
$143
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$138
DERMIRA, INC.
$109
STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
$104
Almirall LLC
$104
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$104
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$73
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
$71
MAYNE PHARMA INC.
$68
Melinta Therapeutics, Inc.
$60
Sandoz Inc.
$57
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$57
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$53
Encore Dermatology Inc.
$47
Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
$41
Blueprint Medicines Corporation
$36
Organon Llc
$26
Solta Medical, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$22
Nabriva Therapeutics, plc
$19
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$17
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$17
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 71.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
20% · ADBRY · AKLIEF · AMELUZ · AMZEEQ · ARAZLO · Ameluz · Avar · BOTOX · BOTOX COSMETIC · Baxdela · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · COSENTYX · CYLTEZO · Cimzia · Clindamycin Phosphate and Benzoyl Peroxide · DORYX · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · Dermatological Psoriasis and Vitiligo Treatment · EFUDEX · ELIDEL · ENSTILAR · EPIDUO FORTE · EUCRISA · Enbrel · Erivedge · Finacea · HADLIMA · HUMIRA · HYLATOPIC EMOLLIENT · HYRIMOZ · Humira · IDACIO · ILUMYA · ILUMYA (tildrakizumab-asmn) injection · Ilumya · Impoyz · JUBLIA · LIBTAYO · Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution · OLUMIANT · OPZELURA · ORACEA · Otezla · POTELIGEO · QBREXZA · REMICADE · RHOFADE · RINVOQ · SILIQ · SIVEXTRO · SKYRIZI · SOOLANTRA · SORILUX · SPEVIGO · Seysara · Sivextro · Skyrizi · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · TWYNEO · Tremfya · VTAMA · Winlevi · XEOMIN · XTRAC · Xeomin · YCANTH · ZILXI · Zoryve
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 (70%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in dermatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 6% for dermatology in MA.
Geographic Context
Dermatologists within 10 mi
58
Per 100K population
6.7
County median income
$93,561
Nearest hospital
ST VINCENT 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. Kates is a clinical cardiology specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in MA), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 6% of MA 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. Kates experienced with destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Kates performed 5,303 destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 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. Kates receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Kates received a total of $73,947 from 51 companies across 1,254 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. Kates's costs compare to other dermatologists in Worcester?
Dr. Kates's average Medicare payment per service is $55. 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. Kates) 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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