Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Michael Watterson, MD, FACR
Rheumatology · Greenville, 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. Watterson 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. Watterson
Dr. Michael Watterson is a rheumatology specialist in Greenville, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Watterson performed 30,047 Medicare services across 2,836 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Watterson received a total of $13,889 from 36 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 622 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. Watterson 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 38% volume in NC
$13,889 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗30,047
Medicare services
Top 38% in NC for rheumatology
2,836
Unique beneficiaries
$22
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,502 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
11,250 | $10 | $46 |
| 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. |
7,225 | $32 | $93 |
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
3,375 | $26 | $125 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 2,400 | $19 | $50 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
1,144 | $1 | $5 |
| 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. |
1,007 | $91 | $271 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
406 | $10 | $50 |
| 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. |
402 | $8 | $29 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
333 | $8 | $11 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
326 | $91 | $297 |
| 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. |
198 | $5 | $75 |
| 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. |
166 | $66 | $191 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
161 | $17 | $150 |
| 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. |
139 | $1 | $6 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
130 | $55 | $193 |
| 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. |
127 | $114 | $351 |
| 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. |
117 | $13 | $44 |
| X-ray of hand, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand using two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
109 | $7 | $32 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
97 | $21 | $73 |
| 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. |
95 | $11 | $48 |
| 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. |
81 | $6 | $47 |
| 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. |
72 | $10 | $48 |
| Tuberculosis blood test (gamma interferon) A blood test that measures the immune system's response to tuberculosis bacteria using gamma interferon levels. |
72 | $60 | $215 |
| 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. |
70 | $4 | $16 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 57 | $5 | $30 |
| X-ray of both knees, standing An X-ray image of both knees taken while the patient is standing to assess bone alignment and joint space under weight-bearing conditions. |
56 | $12 | $39 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
52 | $12 | $135 |
| Shoulder X-ray, 2+ views An X-ray imaging test of the shoulder joint using at least two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
50 | $7 | $34 |
| Trabecular bone score interpretation Analysis of bone texture to assess fracture risk. The provider interprets the trabecular bone score and generates a report on the patient's risk of fractures. |
41 | $6 | $26 |
| Pelvis X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the pelvic area using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
38 | $8 | $36 |
| Joint fluid aspiration or injection, small joint Removal of fluid from a small joint or injection of medication into a small joint. |
28 | $37 | $152 |
| Trigger point injection, 1-2 muscles A procedure involving the injection of medication into one or two specific muscles to treat trigger points. |
26 | $33 | $129 |
| 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 | $80 |
| Measurement of dna antibody, single stranded | 24 | $11 | $50 |
| Methylprednisolone acetate injection, 80 mg An injection of 80 mg of methylprednisolone acetate, a corticosteroid medication. |
24 | $9 | $40 |
| Sed rate test (inflammation marker) This automated test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube to detect inflammation in the body. |
19 | $3 | $19 |
| Methylprednisolone injection, up to 125 mg An injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate, a corticosteroid medication, with a dosage of up to 125 mg. |
18 | $4 | $13 |
| X-ray of both hips, 2 views An X-ray imaging test that captures two views of both hip joints to evaluate bone structure and alignment. |
16 | $12 | $34 |
| Hip X-ray, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hip joint using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
14 | $9 | $28 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
13 | $29 | $40 |
| Flu vaccine, high-dose High-dose seasonal influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 and older. Contains four times the antigen of standard-dose flu vaccines (60 mcg per strain), split-virus formulation, preservative-free, single-dose syringe. |
12 | $72 | $80 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
11 | $29 | $150 |
| Free thyroxine (T4) test A blood test that measures the level of free thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, in the bloodstream. |
11 | $9 | $68 |
| Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test A blood test that measures the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to evaluate thyroid function. |
11 | $16 | $58 |
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.
74.3% high complexity
13.2% medium
12.5% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$13,889
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,984/year across 7 years
Top 21% in NC for rheumatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
36
Companies
622
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
$10,906 (78.5%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$2,983 (21.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$702
2023
$3,332
2022
$54
2021
$1,172
2020
$1,380
2019
$3,538
2018
$3,712
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
UCB, Inc.
$209
ABBVIE INC.
$208
Amgen Inc.
$150
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$61
PFIZER INC.
$26
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$17
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$15
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$15
Top 3 companies account for 80.9% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
UCB, Inc.
$3,918
Amgen Inc.
$1,669
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$971
PFIZER INC.
$964
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$930
Lilly USA, LLC
$818
AbbVie, Inc.
$779
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$517
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$503
Celgene Corporation
$482
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$401
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$322
Genentech USA, Inc.
$315
ABBVIE INC.
$208
GENZYME CORPORATION
$125
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
$118
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$88
AbbVie Inc.
$84
Horizon Pharma plc
$77
Antares Pharma, Inc.
$75
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$64
Radius Health, Inc.
$51
Sobi, Inc
$49
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$46
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA
$44
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$42
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$41
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$35
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$24
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$24
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$22
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
$21
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
$18
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
$15
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC
$14
Zyla Life Sciences
$11
Top 3 companies account for 47.2% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · Actemra · BENLYSTA · Bimzelx · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DUZALLO · EVENITY · Enbrel · FORTEO · HUMIRA · Humira · IDACIO · JARDIANCE · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LYRICA · Mitigare · OPSUMIT · ORENCIA · Otezla · Otrexup · PENNSAID · Prolia · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RINVOQ · Rinvoq · Rituxan · SAPHNELO · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · SKYRIZI · STELARA · Strensiq · TALTZ · TREMFYA · Trintellix · Uloric · XELJANZ · XYOSTED · ZORVOLEX
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 (78%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Rheumatologists within 10 mi
10
Per 100K population
5.8
County median income
$58,851
Nearest hospital
ECU HEALTH 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. Watterson is a mixed practice specialist, with moderate Medicare volume, with low-engagement industry engagement, 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. Watterson experienced with golimumab infusion (simponi aria)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Watterson performed 11,250 golimumab infusion (simponi aria) 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. Watterson receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Watterson received a total of $13,889 from 36 companies across 622 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. Watterson's costs compare to other rheumatologists in Greenville?
Dr. Watterson's average Medicare payment per service is $22. 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. Watterson) 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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