Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Jill Vargo, M.D.
Rheumatology · Asheville, NC
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. Vargo 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. Vargo
Dr. Jill Vargo is a rheumatology specialist in Asheville, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Vargo performed 159,308 Medicare services across 4,076 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Vargo received a total of $217,015 from 31 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 630 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. Vargo 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 8% volume in NC
$217,015 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗159,308
Medicare services
Top 8% in NC for rheumatology
4,076
Unique beneficiaries
$11
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~7,965 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocilizumab injection (Actemra) | 37,160 | $5 | $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. |
35,650 | $10 | $30 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 27,720 | $8 | $17 |
| Certolizumab injection (Cimzia) An injection of certolizumab pegol administered under the direct supervision of a physician. |
25,600 | $4 | $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. |
15,200 | $34 | $75 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 10,441 | $18 | $40 |
| 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. |
688 | $5 | $20 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
677 | $3 | $30 |
| 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. |
676 | $5 | $35 |
| 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. |
671 | $8 | $43 |
| Liver function blood test panel | 651 | $8 | $35 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
604 | $8 | $10 |
| 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. |
571 | $11 | $36 |
| 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. |
429 | $89 | $206 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
371 | $98 | $266 |
| Total calcium level test A blood test that measures the total amount of calcium in your body. |
311 | $5 | $26 |
| 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. |
287 | $64 | $140 |
| 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. |
234 | $48 | $137 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
223 | $29 | $94 |
| 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. |
152 | $49 | $250 |
| 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. |
139 | $29 | $58 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
120 | $5 | $200 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
102 | $17 | $55 |
| Tuberculosis test, enumeration of t-cells A blood test that counts T-cells to help detect tuberculosis infection. |
82 | $97 | $175 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
77 | $1 | $5 |
| 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. |
60 | $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. |
57 | $21 | $84 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
45 | $11 | $52 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
30 | $15 | $186 |
| 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. |
30 | $4 | $20 |
| Autoimmune disorder screening test A laboratory test used to screen for the presence of autoimmune disorders. |
30 | $12 | $52 |
| 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. |
29 | $40 | $99 |
| Rheumatoid factor analysis | 27 | $6 | $54 |
| 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. |
27 | $125 | $319 |
| 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. |
24 | $6 | $30 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
22 | $13 | $73 |
| 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. |
20 | $12 | $50 |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides) A blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
19 | $13 | $54 |
| LDL cholesterol level test A blood test that measures the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. |
19 | $10 | $25 |
| Telephone medical discussion, 21-30 minutes A telephone conversation with a physician lasting between 21 and 30 minutes. This code covers the time spent discussing medical matters over the phone. |
17 | $97 | $206 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody titer test A blood test that measures the level of specific antibodies to help assess autoimmune disorders. |
16 | $11 | $49 |
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.
32.3% high complexity
63.9% medium
3.8% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$217,015
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $31,002/year across 7 years
Top 4% in NC for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
31
Companies
630
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
$198,804 (91.6%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$13,762 (6.3%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$4,449 (2.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$33,555
2023
$39,125
2022
$25,578
2021
$18,172
2020
$21,730
2019
$34,111
2018
$44,744
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$19,189
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$12,627
Amgen Inc.
$1,295
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$74
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$54
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$46
Celgene Corporation
$45
PFIZER INC.
$30
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$30
Organon Llc
$29
UCB, Inc.
$22
SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$21
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$21
GENZYME CORPORATION
$21
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$18
SOBI, INC
$16
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
Top 3 companies account for 98.7% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$91,040
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$44,630
ABBVIE INC.
$33,125
AbbVie Inc.
$19,259
AbbVie, Inc.
$14,875
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$6,268
Lilly USA, LLC
$3,023
Amgen Inc.
$2,576
PFIZER INC.
$574
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$230
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$199
GENZYME CORPORATION
$169
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$158
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$128
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$125
Radius Health, Inc.
$110
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$89
UCB, Inc.
$70
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$49
Celgene Corporation
$45
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$42
Genentech USA, Inc.
$41
Merz North America, Inc.
$39
Organon Llc
$29
SCILEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$21
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$21
ASCEND Therapeutics US, LLC
$18
SOBI, INC
$16
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$16
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$15
Allergan, Inc.
$12
Top 3 companies account for 77.8% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
AVSOLA · Arcalyst · BENLYSTA · BINOSTO · COSENTYX · CYLTEZO · Cimzia · EVENITY · EVUSHELD · Enbrel · FORTEO · HADLIMA · HUMIRA · Humira · IDACIO · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · LUPKYNIS · LYRICA · OFEV · ORENCIA · REMICADE · RINVOQ · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · STRENSIQ · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TREMFYA · Tavneos · Tymlos · XELJANZ · XEOMIN · ZTLido
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 (92%) 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. Total industry engagement is in the top 4% for rheumatology in NC.
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. Vargo is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 8% in NC), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 4% of NC 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. Vargo experienced with tocilizumab injection (actemra)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Vargo performed 37,160 tocilizumab injection (actemra) 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. Vargo receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Vargo received a total of $217,015 from 31 companies across 630 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. Vargo's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Asheville?
Dr. Vargo'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. Vargo) 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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