Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Heather Holden, MD
Rheumatology · Charlotte, NC
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Low-engagement
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. Holden 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. Holden
Dr. Heather Holden is a rheumatology specialist in Charlotte, NC, with 18 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Holden performed 73,878 Medicare services across 2,251 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Holden received a total of $4,594 from 21 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 218 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in rheumatology. Most payments are for meals and travel — low-value interactions common across virtually all practicing physicians. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Holden 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 27% volume in NC
$4,594 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗73,878
Medicare services
Top 27% in NC for rheumatology
2,251
Unique beneficiaries
$15
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~4,104 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) | 23,840 | $5 | $11 |
| Romosozumab injection (Evenity) for osteoporosis | 13,230 | $8 | $25 |
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
12,811 | $10 | $50 |
| 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. |
9,450 | $33 | $70 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
5,200 | $26 | $120 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 4,320 | $18 | $42 |
| Rituximab injection, 10 mg Administration of a 10 mg dose of rituximab medication via injection. |
1,890 | $58 | $150 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
391 | $96 | $360 |
| 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. |
350 | $83 | $250 |
| Non-hormonal chemotherapy injection This procedure involves administering non-hormonal anti-neoplastic chemotherapy medication via injection into the skin or muscle tissue. |
304 | $53 | $175 |
| 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. |
287 | $8 | $38 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
221 | $8 | $25 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
147 | $21 | $125 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
115 | $7 | $180 |
| 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. |
95 | $128 | $314 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
85 | $29 | $159 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
77 | $3 | $15 |
| Intravenous injection of additional new drug or substance Administration of an additional new medication or substance directly into a vein. |
75 | $11 | $82 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
73 | $10 | $50 |
| 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. |
61 | $35 | $240 |
| 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. |
61 | $5 | $63 |
| 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. |
59 | $61 | $179 |
| 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. |
52 | $29 | $117 |
| Complement and antigen measurement A laboratory test to measure levels of complement proteins and antigens in the blood. |
52 | $12 | $113 |
| Tuberculosis test, enumeration of t-cells A blood test that counts T-cells to help detect tuberculosis infection. |
47 | $98 | $328 |
| Basic metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of basic chemicals, including total calcium levels. |
45 | $8 | $40 |
| Diphenhydramine injection, up to 50 mg An injection of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine medication, administered in a dose of up to 50 milligrams. |
40 | $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. |
36 | $40 | $238 |
| 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. |
35 | $5 | $37 |
| 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. |
30 | $103 | $266 |
| 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. |
28 | $35 | $375 |
| 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. |
28 | $6 | $47 |
| Urinalysis with microscopic exam A urine test performed manually that includes examining the sample under a microscope to check for abnormalities. |
24 | $3 | $54 |
| 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. |
24 | $4 | $33 |
| 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. |
24 | $13 | $74 |
| 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. |
23 | $45 | $238 |
| 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. |
22 | $48 | $250 |
| 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. |
22 | $11 | $62 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
21 | $50 | $219 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 40 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a dose of up to 40 mg. |
21 | $3 | $13 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 125 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, with a dosage of up to 125 mg. |
19 | $4 | $16 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
18 | $16 | $96 |
| 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. |
17 | $2 | $29 |
| Total calcium level test A blood test that measures the total amount of calcium in your body. |
17 | $5 | $47 |
| Hepatitis B core antibody test A blood test that measures the level of antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen. This test helps determine if a person has been infected with the hepatitis B virus. |
17 | $12 | $50 |
| 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. |
17 | $14 | $100 |
| Hepatitis B surface antigen test A blood test that uses an immunoassay technique to detect the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen. This test identifies whether the hepatitis B virus is currently present in the body. |
17 | $10 | $68 |
| Injection, methylprednisolone acetate, 40 mg | 15 | $6 | $12 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
14 | $13 | $70 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 11 | $6 | $30 |
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.
37.7% high complexity
59.7% medium
2.6% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$4,594
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $919/year across 5 years
Top 45% in NC for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
21
Companies
218
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.
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$4,594 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,526
2023
$1,883
2022
$1,041
2021
$30
2018
$114
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Amgen Inc.
$371
ABBVIE INC.
$354
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$216
UCB, Inc.
$139
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$97
PFIZER INC.
$66
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$52
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$46
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$32
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$21
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$21
SOBI, INC
$20
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$20
Sandoz Inc.
$19
Radius Health, Inc.
$18
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$18
Genentech USA, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 61.7% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Amgen Inc.
$1,223
ABBVIE INC.
$700
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$515
UCB, Inc.
$462
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$273
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$235
PFIZER INC.
$180
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$170
Lilly USA, LLC
$169
Genentech USA, Inc.
$137
Radius Health, Inc.
$108
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$71
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$66
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$60
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$46
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$46
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$45
GENZYME CORPORATION
$31
SOBI, INC
$20
Sandoz Inc.
$19
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
$18
Top 3 companies account for 53.1% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · AMJEVITA · Actemra · Arcalyst · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DUEXIS · EVENITY · Enbrel · Fintepla · HYRIMOZ · IDACIO · KEVZARA · KINERET · KRYSTEXXA · LUPKYNIS · ORENCIA · Otezla · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · REMICADE · RINVOQ · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · TALTZ · TAVNEOS · 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 →
Most payments (100%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
34
Per 100K population
3.0
County median income
$83,765
Nearest hospital
NOVANT HEALTH BALLANTYNE MEDICAL CENTER
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. Holden is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 27% in NC), with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Holden experienced with tocilizumab injection (actemra)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Holden performed 23,840 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. Holden receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Holden received a total of $4,594 from 21 companies across 218 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. Holden's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Charlotte?
Dr. Holden's average Medicare payment per service is $15. 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. Holden) 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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