Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Andrew Laster, MD
Rheumatology · Charlotte, 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. Laster 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. Laster
Dr. Andrew Laster is a rheumatology specialist in Charlotte, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Laster performed 124,658 Medicare services across 2,962 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Laster received a total of $574,775 from 39 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 1142 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. Laster 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 13% volume in NC
$574,775 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗124,658
Medicare services
Top 13% in NC for rheumatology
2,962
Unique beneficiaries
$12
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~6,233 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. |
37,600 | $4 | $14 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 31,920 | $8 | $25 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 15,840 | $18 | $42 |
| Tocilizumab injection (Actemra) | 12,200 | $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. |
8,575 | $34 | $70 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
6,876 | $26 | $117 |
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
5,700 | $11 | $50 |
| Rituximab injection, 10 mg Administration of a 10 mg dose of rituximab medication via injection. |
1,550 | $58 | $150 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
749 | $55 | $175 |
| 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. |
511 | $62 | $179 |
| 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. |
377 | $8 | $38 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
347 | $98 | $360 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
314 | $8 | $25 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
202 | $1 | $20 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
192 | $21 | $125 |
| 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. |
186 | $28 | $117 |
| 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. |
177 | $83 | $250 |
| 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. |
166 | $49 | $250 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
130 | $7 | $180 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
128 | $10 | $50 |
| 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. |
125 | $5 | $63 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
102 | $29 | $159 |
| Complete ultrasound scan of joint An ultrasound exam that uses sound waves to create detailed images of a joint. This procedure allows for the visualization of the joint's internal structures. |
92 | $37 | $240 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
86 | $12 | $82 |
| Total calcium level test A blood test that measures the total amount of calcium in your body. |
59 | $5 | $47 |
| 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. |
59 | $4 | $33 |
| 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. |
40 | $5 | $37 |
| Kidney function blood test panel | 38 | $9 | $50 |
| Diphenhydramine injection, up to 50 mg An injection of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine medication, administered in a dose of up to 50 milligrams. |
38 | $1 | $15 |
| 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. |
35 | $40 | $238 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
34 | $48 | $219 |
| Tuberculosis test, enumeration of t-cells A blood test that counts T-cells to help detect tuberculosis infection. |
33 | $98 | $328 |
| 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. |
25 | $48 | $238 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 40 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of up to 40 mg. |
25 | $3 | $13 |
| 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. |
23 | $2 | $29 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 125 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, with a dosage of up to 125 mg. |
21 | $4 | $16 |
| Bone density scan (DEXA) A test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density in the hip, pelvis, and spine. It helps assess bone strength and risk of fractures. |
19 | $36 | $375 |
| 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. |
19 | $10 | $57 |
| Tuberculosis blood test (gamma interferon) A blood test that measures the immune system's response to tuberculosis bacteria using gamma interferon levels. |
16 | $61 | $328 |
| 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. |
15 | $100 | $266 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
14 | $3 | $15 |
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.
17.3% high complexity
80.8% medium
2.0% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$574,775
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $82,111/year across 7 years
Top 3% in NC for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
39
Companies
1,142
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
$454,331 (79.0%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$93,953 (16.3%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$26,491 (4.6%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$3,547
2023
$12,499
2022
$41,885
2021
$32,861
2020
$98,190
2019
$189,309
2018
$196,485
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Amgen Inc.
$1,233
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$573
ABBVIE INC.
$510
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$420
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$191
GENZYME CORPORATION
$179
UCB, Inc.
$98
PFIZER INC.
$92
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$72
Radius Health, Inc.
$43
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$39
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$26
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$22
Lilly USA, LLC
$22
Genentech USA, Inc.
$14
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 65.3% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Amgen Inc.
$221,597
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$58,682
Lilly USA, LLC
$55,399
United Rheumatology
$46,573
PFIZER INC.
$37,491
Radius Health, Inc.
$37,313
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$35,840
Eli Lilly and Company
$25,036
Genentech USA, Inc.
$22,133
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$12,982
UCB, Inc.
$8,696
GENZYME CORPORATION
$6,015
Pfizer Inc.
$2,275
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$865
ABBVIE INC.
$797
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$695
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$566
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$433
AbbVie, Inc.
$369
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$331
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$124
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
$65
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.
$60
AbbVie Inc.
$59
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$51
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$43
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$39
Horizon Pharma plc
$35
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$28
MEDAC PHARMA, INC.
$23
MEDEXUS PHARMA, INC.
$23
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$21
SOBI, INC
$20
Sandoz Inc.
$20
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$18
Bioventus LLC
$17
Sobi, Inc
$17
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
$13
Organon LLC
$11
Top 3 companies account for 58.4% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · Actemra · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · Durolane · EVENITY · Enbrel · FORTEO · HUMIRA · HYRIMOZ · Humira · IDACIO · ILARIS · INFLECTRA · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LUPKYNIS · LYRICA · OLUMIANT · ORENCIA · Otrexup · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · Prolia · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · SYNVISC-ONE · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · TREMFYA · Tavneos · Truxima · Tymlos · XELJANZ · Zilretta
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 (79%) 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 3% for rheumatology in NC.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
37
Per 100K population
3.3
County median income
$83,765
Nearest hospital
CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER/BEHAV HEALTH
2.1 mi
2.1 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. Laster is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 13% in NC), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 3% 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. Laster experienced with certolizumab injection (cimzia)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Laster performed 37,600 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. Laster receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Laster received a total of $574,775 from 39 companies across 1,142 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. Laster's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Charlotte?
Dr. Laster's average Medicare payment per service is $12. 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. Laster) 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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