Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Adrian Vazquez, M.D.
Rheumatology · Asheville, NC
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Consulting-driven
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. Vazquez 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. Vazquez
Dr. Adrian Vazquez is a rheumatology specialist in Asheville, NC, with 18 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Vazquez performed 157,611 Medicare services across 3,131 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Vazquez received a total of $24,441 from 17 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 176 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. The majority of payments are for consulting, which typically reflects recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Vazquez 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.
✓ 18 years in practice
▲ Top 9% volume in NC
$24,441 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗157,611
Medicare services
Top 9% in NC for rheumatology
3,131
Unique beneficiaries
$11
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~8,756 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certolizumab injection (Cimzia) An injection of certolizumab pegol administered under the direct supervision of a physician. |
56,000 | $4 | $11 |
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
32,874 | $11 | $30 |
| Tocilizumab injection (Actemra) | 22,760 | $5 | $11 |
| Abatacept infusion (Orencia) An injection of abatacept administered under the direct supervision of a physician. This code is used for Medicare when the drug is not self-administered. |
19,125 | $34 | $75 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 15,330 | $8 | $17 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 5,580 | $18 | $40 |
| 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. |
615 | $90 | $206 |
| 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. |
531 | $8 | $43 |
| 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. |
528 | $5 | $35 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
522 | $3 | $30 |
| 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. |
516 | $11 | $36 |
| Blood creatinine level test A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product from muscle wear and tear, to help assess kidney function. |
513 | $5 | $20 |
| Liver function blood test panel | 507 | $8 | $35 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
422 | $8 | $10 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
353 | $99 | $265 |
| 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. |
192 | $48 | $137 |
| Tuberculosis test, enumeration of t-cells A blood test that counts T-cells to help detect tuberculosis infection. |
98 | $98 | $175 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
94 | $29 | $94 |
| Total calcium level test A blood test that measures the total amount of calcium in your body. |
93 | $5 | $26 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
70 | $6 | $200 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
68 | $22 | $186 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
68 | $12 | $52 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
66 | $18 | $58 |
| 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. |
54 | $49 | $250 |
| 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. |
50 | $4 | $20 |
| Trabecular bone score calculation This procedure calculates the trabecular bone score using imaging data to assess bone microarchitecture. It includes interpretation and a report on fracture risk. |
48 | $29 | $58 |
| 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. |
46 | $1 | $28 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
41 | $21 | $84 |
| Foot X-ray, 3+ views An X-ray imaging test of the foot that captures at least three different views to evaluate the bones and joints. |
39 | $21 | $192 |
| Hepatitis C antibody test A blood test that checks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. This test helps determine if a person has been exposed to the virus. |
35 | $14 | $43 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
33 | $10 | $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. |
33 | $111 | $319 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 32 | $154 | $397 |
| Parathyroid hormone level test A blood test that measures the amount of parathyroid hormone in your body. This hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood and bones. |
31 | $40 | $99 |
| 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. |
30 | $65 | $140 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
26 | $12 | $73 |
| Rheumatoid factor analysis | 25 | $6 | $54 |
| 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. |
22 | $28 | $109 |
| Urinalysis with microscopic exam A urine test performed manually that includes examining the sample under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
22 | $3 | $27 |
| Creatinine test (kidney function) A blood test that measures the amount of creatinine to assess kidney function or detect muscle injury. |
22 | $5 | $22 |
| 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. |
22 | $13 | $50 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint that captures three different angles to evaluate the bones and surrounding structures. |
19 | $25 | $141 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
17 | $16 | $52 |
| 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. |
14 | $6 | $30 |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen neutralization test A laboratory test using immunoassay techniques to detect the neutralization of the hepatitis B surface antigen. |
13 | $10 | $20 |
| Office visit, established patient, complex (40-54 min) An office or outpatient visit for an existing patient lasting between 40 and 54 minutes. This level of service is determined by the total time spent on the date of the encounter. |
12 | $138 | $277 |
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.
33.4% high complexity
63.6% medium
3.0% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$24,441
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $3,492/year across 7 years
Top 15% in NC for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
17
Companies
176
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.
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$19,057 (78.0%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$3,079 (12.6%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$2,305 (9.4%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$646
2023
$307
2022
$304
2021
$1,101
2020
$2,224
2019
$546
2018
$19,314
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Amgen Inc.
$397
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$74
ABBVIE INC.
$64
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$46
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$42
Celgene Corporation
$24
Top 3 companies account for 82.7% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$19,057
AbbVie Inc.
$2,126
Amgen Inc.
$1,922
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$304
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$235
Lilly USA, LLC
$170
ABBVIE INC.
$124
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$112
PFIZER INC.
$96
AbbVie, Inc.
$95
UCB, Inc.
$68
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$28
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$25
Celgene Corporation
$24
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$22
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$17
Radius Health, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 94.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AVSOLA · BENLYSTA · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DUZALLO · EVENITY · Enbrel · HUMIRA · Humira · KEVZARA · OFEV · OLUMIANT · ORENCIA · Otezla · RINVOQ · Rinvoq · SAPHNELO · SKYRIZI · TALTZ · TREMFYA · Tavneos · Tymlos · 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 (78%) are consulting fees, which typically reflect recognized clinical expertise sought by manufacturers.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
16
Per 100K population
5.9
County median income
$70,578
Nearest hospital
MEMORIAL MISSION HOSPITAL AND ASHEVILLE SURGERY CE
4.8 mi
4.8 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. Vazquez is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 9% in NC), with consulting-driven industry engagement in the top 15% of NC peers, with 18 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. Vazquez experienced with certolizumab injection (cimzia)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Vazquez performed 56,000 certolizumab injection (cimzia) 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. Vazquez receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Vazquez received a total of $24,441 from 17 companies across 176 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. Vazquez's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Asheville?
Dr. Vazquez's average Medicare payment per service is $11. 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. Vazquez) 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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