Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Earl Frantz, D.O.
Family Medicine · Morehead City, 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. Frantz 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. Frantz
Dr. Earl Frantz is a family medicine specialist in Morehead City, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Frantz performed 31,186 Medicare services across 2,624 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Frantz received a total of $19,193 from 19 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 75 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in family medicine. 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. Frantz 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 0% volume in NC
$19,193 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗31,186
Medicare services
Top 0% in NC for family medicine
2,624
Unique beneficiaries
$10
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,559 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triamcinolone acetonide injection, 1 mg An injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication, administered in a 1 mg dose without preservatives. |
24,676 | $3 | $6 |
| Joint lubricant injection (TriVisc) An injection of hyaluronan or a derivative into a joint space. The dose specified is 1 milligram. |
2,325 | $7 | $20 |
| 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. |
851 | $65 | $144 |
| Tendon or ligament injection A procedure involving the injection of medication into a tendon or ligament. |
834 | $36 | $195 |
| Betamethasone steroid injection An injection containing a combination of betamethasone acetate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. |
463 | $5 | $20 |
| Ultrasound guidance for needle placement Use of ultrasound imaging to guide the precise placement of a needle during a medical procedure. |
390 | $43 | $554 |
| Ultrasound-guided large joint aspiration or injection This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide the removal of fluid from or the injection of medication into a large joint. |
275 | $75 | $208 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
184 | $58 | $215 |
| 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. |
120 | $93 | $200 |
| New patient office visit (30-44 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 30 and 44 minutes. This code is used when the total time spent on the date of the encounter falls within this range. |
102 | $77 | $185 |
| Ultrasound-guided joint aspiration or injection Removal of fluid from or injection into a medium-sized joint using ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
96 | $45 | $174 |
| Destruction of peripheral nerve or branch | 80 | $104 | $475 |
| Office visit, established patient (10-19 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting 10 to 19 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
77 | $40 | $100 |
| X-ray of lower and sacral spine, minimum of 4 views An X-ray imaging test of the lower back and sacrum using at least four different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
69 | $38 | $168 |
| 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. |
67 | $26 | $109 |
| 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. |
64 | $29 | $115 |
| 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. |
54 | $35 | $106 |
| 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. |
46 | $30 | $123 |
| Knee X-ray, 4 or more views An imaging test using X-rays to create multiple pictures of the knee joint from different angles. |
40 | $34 | $140 |
| Knee nerve block injection with imaging guidance An injection of anesthetic and/or steroid medication into a nerve branch of the knee, performed using imaging guidance to ensure accurate placement. |
38 | $194 | $632 |
| CT scan of chest, without contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest area that uses X-rays to create detailed images without the use of contrast dye. |
37 | $56 | $580 |
| 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. |
32 | $5 | $10 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 4-5 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using 4 to 5 different views to visualize the bones and structures in that area. |
31 | $36 | $156 |
| 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. |
29 | $25 | $94 |
| Knee X-ray, 1-2 views An X-ray imaging test of the knee joint using one to two different angles to visualize the bones and surrounding structures. |
26 | $26 | $94 |
| Low dose CT scan of chest for lung cancer screening A specialized CT scan of the chest using a lower radiation dose to screen for lung cancer. |
23 | $89 | $159 |
| X-ray of hand, minimum of 3 views An X-ray imaging test of the hand that captures at least three different angles to visualize the bones and joints. |
22 | $22 | $92 |
| Spinal and pelvic nerve injection with imaging guidance An anesthetic and/or steroid medication is injected into nerves in the spine or pelvis while using imaging to guide the needle placement. |
18 | $240 | $856 |
| CT scan of head/brain, without contrast A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the head or brain without the use of contrast dye. |
14 | $45 | $510 |
| X-ray of upper spine, 2-3 views An X-ray imaging test of the upper spine using two to three different angles to visualize the bones and structures. |
14 | $29 | $108 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast A CT scan that uses dye to create detailed images of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging test helps doctors examine internal organs and structures in these areas. |
14 | $165 | $942 |
| 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. |
14 | $107 | $265 |
| Destruction of nerve branches of knee using imaging guidance | 13 | $309 | $1,112 |
| CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, without contrast A computed tomography scan that creates detailed images of the abdominal and pelvic organs. The procedure is performed without the use of intravenous contrast dye. |
13 | $62 | $660 |
| Nerve destruction for spine-pelvis joint pain A procedure that destroys the nerves supplying the joint between the spine and pelvis to relieve pain. Imaging guidance is used to ensure accurate placement. |
12 | $197 | $1,466 |
| Multiplex respiratory virus test (COVID-19, flu, RSV) A laboratory test that uses a multiplex amplified probe technique to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza virus types A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). |
12 | $140 | $225 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
11 | $84 | $660 |
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.
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$19,193
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $2,742/year across 7 years
Top 1% in NC for family medicine
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
19
Companies
75
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
$17,418 (90.7%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$1,776 (9.3%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$112
2023
$121
2022
$2,181
2021
$109
2020
$5,294
2019
$3,535
2018
$7,842
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
Bioventus LLC
$26
Vericel Corporation
$21
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$19
Fidia Pharma USA Inc.
$19
Paragon 28, Inc.
$17
HERAEUS MEDICAL, LLC.
$9
Top 3 companies account for 59.9% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Avanos Medical
$17,437
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$977
Bioventus LLC
$161
SI-BONE, Inc.
$125
Orthofix Medical, Inc.
$106
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$87
Medacta USA, Inc.
$48
Horizon Pharma plc
$43
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$43
Boston Scientific Corporation
$22
Vericel Corporation
$21
Fidia Pharma USA Inc.
$19
Baxter Healthcare
$17
Paragon 28, Inc.
$17
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$17
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$17
INSYS Therapeutics Inc
$14
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
$13
HERAEUS MEDICAL, LLC.
$9
Top 3 companies account for 96.8% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Ankle Fracture · Biomet SpinalPak · COOLIEF · COOLIEF COOLED RADIOFREQUENCY · COOLIEF* COOLED RADIOFREQUENCY · Cervical-STIM · Cervical-Stim Osteogenesis Stimulator · DUEXIS · DUROLANE · Durolane · EUFLEXXA · Exparel · GENERATOR · HYMOVIS · INJECTAFER · Iovera · MACI · Masterloc · ON-Q* PUMP AND ACCESSORIES · PALACOS · PENNSAID · Physio-Stim · Physio-Stim Osteogenesis Stimulator · SUBSYS · SYNVISC-ONE · TISSEEL · TRAYS- ALL · TRIVISC SODIUM HYALURONATE · VIMOVO · WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16
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 (91%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in family medicine and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 1% for family medicine in NC.
Geographic Context
Family medicine physicians within 10 mi
44
Per 100K population
64.1
County median income
$70,235
Nearest hospital
CARTERET GENERAL HOSPITAL
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. Frantz is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 0% in NC), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 1% 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. Frantz experienced with triamcinolone acetonide injection, 1 mg?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Frantz performed 24,676 triamcinolone acetonide injection, 1 mg 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. Frantz receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Frantz received a total of $19,193 from 19 companies across 75 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. Frantz's costs compare to other family medicine physicians in Morehead City?
Dr. Frantz's average Medicare payment per service is $10. 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. Frantz) 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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