Medicare Enrolled
Dr. James Polo, M.D.
Dermatology · New Bern, 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. Polo 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. Polo
Dr. James Polo is a dermatology specialist in New Bern, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Polo performed 8,126 Medicare services across 3,261 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Polo received a total of $27,554 from 35 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 589 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in dermatology. 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. Polo 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 9% volume in NC
$27,554 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗8,126
Medicare services
Top 9% in NC for dermatology
3,261
Unique beneficiaries
$119
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~406 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound guidance for radiation therapy field placement Use of ultrasound imaging to help position radiation therapy fields accurately during treatment. |
1,347 | $135 | $341 |
| Radiation treatment planning, 1 area This procedure involves gathering the necessary data to design the most effective radiation therapy plan for a single treatment area. |
1,287 | $204 | $510 |
| Superficial or low voltage radiation treatment A radiation therapy procedure that delivers radiation to the surface of the body or uses low voltage energy. This treatment targets areas close to the skin. |
1,245 | $31 | $77 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growths, 2-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of two to fourteen precancerous skin lesions. It is performed to eliminate abnormal skin cells that have the potential to develop into cancer. |
589 | $5 | $13 |
| Tissue pathology examination, moderate complexity A laboratory test where a pathologist examines tissue samples under a microscope to analyze cellular details. This intermediate complexity procedure involves specialized techniques to identify abnormalities in the tissue. |
571 | $53 | $136 |
| 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. |
424 | $56 | $173 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks This procedure involves the removal of a growth from the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. The removed tissue is then examined under a microscope in the laboratory. |
300 | $491 | $1,295 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm A medical procedure to close a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. This type of repair involves cleaning the wound and stitching it closed to promote healing. |
287 | $207 | $581 |
| Destruction of precancerous skin growth, 1 Removal of a single precancerous skin growth. This procedure destroys abnormal skin cells to prevent them from developing into cancer. |
227 | $34 | $128 |
| Continuing radiation therapy consultation per week A weekly consultation to review and manage ongoing radiation therapy treatment. |
165 | $65 | $161 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters on the body, arms, or legs. |
153 | $93 | $467 |
| Epifix, per square centimeter | 145 | $118 | $300 |
| Removal and microscopic exam of growth of head, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, each additional stage, 1-5 tissue blocks | 136 | $316 | $786 |
| 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. |
135 | $32 | $108 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 2.6-5.0 cm | 109 | $123 | $606 |
| Destruction of skin growths (warts/lesions), 1-14 This procedure involves the removal or destruction of one to fourteen skin growths. It is a minor surgical intervention performed on the skin surface. |
109 | $68 | $216 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue measures between 2.1 and 3.0 centimeters. |
94 | $105 | $535 |
| 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. |
87 | $83 | $246 |
| Skin biopsy, tangential A procedure to remove a sample of the first identified skin growth for laboratory examination. |
79 | $55 | $194 |
| Design and construction of complex radiation treatment device This code covers the design and construction of a complex radiation treatment device. It does not specify the clinical purpose or conditions treated. |
68 | $96 | $239 |
| Calculation of radiation therapy dose | 63 | $51 | $126 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 2.6-7.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the neck, hands, feet, or genitals that measures between 2.6 and 7.5 centimeters. It is classified as an intermediate repair requiring layered closure. |
56 | $207 | $589 |
| Simple radiation therapy planning This procedure involves the initial planning phase for radiation therapy treatment. It includes the setup and configuration required to prepare for delivering radiation to a specific area. |
43 | $54 | $137 |
| Intermediate wound repair, 7.6-12.5 cm This procedure involves stitching a wound on the scalp, underarms, trunk, arms, or legs that measures between 7.6 and 12.5 centimeters. It includes cleaning the wound and closing it with sutures to promote healing. |
41 | $228 | $641 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 1.1-2.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 1.1 to 2.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
38 | $102 | $478 |
| Additional skin growth biopsy Removal of a sample of an additional skin growth for laboratory examination. This code is used for each extra lesion biopsied during the same session. |
30 | $36 | $96 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm A minor procedure to shave off a skin growth on the body, arms, or legs that measures between 0.6 and 1.0 centimeters. |
30 | $71 | $234 |
| Radiation treatment management, 5 sessions Oversight and management of a radiation therapy course consisting of five treatment sessions. |
30 | $149 | $241 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 3.1-4.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The size of the removed tissue is between 3.1 and 4.0 centimeters. |
28 | $128 | $595 |
| Intermediate repair of wound of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth, 5.1-7.5 cm | 23 | $152 | $698 |
| Skin substitute graft application, 25 sq cm or less Application of a skin substitute graft to a wound on the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, around eyes, genitals, hands, feet, fingers, or toes. The wound area covered is 25.0 square centimeters or less. |
19 | $103 | $304 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves shaving off a skin growth measuring between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters from the body, arms, or legs. |
17 | $71 | $263 |
| Shaving of small skin growth on face or mouth area A minor procedure to shave off a small skin growth, measuring 0.5 cm or less, located on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth. |
16 | $59 | $222 |
| Removal of noncancer skin growth, 1.1-2.0 cm This procedure involves the surgical removal of a benign skin growth located on the body, arms, or legs. The growth measured between 1.1 and 2.0 centimeters in diameter. |
16 | $66 | $327 |
| Intermediate wound repair, face or mouth, 2.5 cm or less A medical procedure to close a wound on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mouth that is 2.5 centimeters or smaller. This type of repair involves more than simple closure but is less complex than a major repair. |
16 | $109 | $543 |
| Intermediate radiation therapy planning This procedure involves the intermediate-level planning for radiation therapy treatment. |
16 | $84 | $210 |
| Radiation treatment planning, 2 areas This procedure involves gathering the necessary data to design the most effective radiation therapy plan for two distinct treatment areas. |
16 | $335 | $833 |
| Shaving of skin growth, 0.6-1.0 cm A minor procedure to shave off a skin growth measuring 0.6 to 1.0 cm from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
15 | $70 | $236 |
| Surgical removal of large skin cancer growth Surgical excision of a malignant skin lesion located on the body, arms, or legs that measures more than 4.0 centimeters in diameter. |
15 | $323 | $855 |
| Ear tissue biopsy A procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the ear for laboratory examination. |
15 | $43 | $185 |
| Surgical removal of skin cancer, 2.1-3.0 cm Surgical excision of a cancerous skin growth measuring 2.1 to 3.0 centimeters from the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitals. |
13 | $123 | $567 |
| Skin growth removal and lab exam, 1-5 blocks A procedure to remove a growth from the trunk, arms, or legs and send 1 to 5 tissue samples to a laboratory for microscopic examination. |
13 | $474 | $1,217 |
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 ↗$27,554
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $3,936/year across 7 years
Top 9% in NC for dermatology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
35
Companies
589
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
$17,048 (61.9%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$10,506 (38.1%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,934
2023
$2,144
2022
$2,027
2021
$1,496
2020
$1,461
2019
$10,287
2018
$8,205
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$423
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$272
GENZYME CORPORATION
$233
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$207
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$144
Organogenesis Inc.
$139
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$120
LEO Pharma Inc.
$102
UCB, Inc.
$72
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$54
Amgen Inc.
$48
PFIZER INC.
$42
Biofrontera Inc.
$36
ConvaTec Inc.
$26
MIMEDX Group, Inc.
$16
Top 3 companies account for 48.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
PFIZER INC.
$17,501
ABBVIE INC.
$1,419
GENZYME CORPORATION
$1,045
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$1,032
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$944
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$655
AbbVie, Inc.
$616
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$589
AbbVie Inc.
$516
LEO Pharma Inc.
$506
Genentech USA, Inc.
$473
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC.
$363
Amgen Inc.
$274
Organogenesis Inc.
$246
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$234
Biofrontera Inc.
$188
UCB, Inc.
$156
Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$153
Almirall LLC
$99
Lilly USA, LLC
$92
Celgene Corporation
$86
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$50
Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
$49
Incyte Corporation
$37
VYNE Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$30
STRATA Skin Sciences, Inc.
$27
Mayne Pharma Inc.
$26
ConvaTec Inc.
$26
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$22
Kyowa Kirin, Inc.
$20
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
$20
MAYNE PHARMA INC.
$18
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
$17
MIMEDX Group, Inc.
$16
Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc.
$11
Top 3 companies account for 72.5% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
20% · ADBRY · AKLIEF · AMELUZ · AMZEEQ · Absorica LD · Ameluz · BLU-U · Bimzelx · CIBINQO · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DORYX · DUOBRII · DUPIXENT · DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION · EPIDUO FORTE · ESKATA · EUCRISA · Enbrel · Erivedge · Finacea · HUMIRA · Humira · ILUMYA · INNOVAMATRIX AC · Ilumya · Klisyri · LEVULAN KERASTICK · LIBTAYO · Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution · ODOMZO (sonidegib) capsules · OPZELURA · Otezla · POTELIGEO · Puraply · REMICADE · RINVOQ · SILIQ · SKYRIZI · SOOLANTRA · Seysara · Skyrizi · Sotyktu · TALTZ · TREMFYA · VALCHLOR · Winlevi · XTRAC · Xolair
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 (62%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in dermatology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 9% for dermatology in NC.
Geographic Context
Dermatologists within 10 mi
6
Per 100K population
5.9
County median income
$64,635
Nearest hospital
CAROLINA EAST 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. Polo is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 9% in NC), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 9% 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. Polo experienced with ultrasound guidance for radiation therapy field placement?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Polo performed 1,347 ultrasound guidance for radiation therapy field placement 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. Polo receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Polo received a total of $27,554 from 35 companies across 589 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. Polo's costs compare to other dermatologists in New Bern?
Dr. Polo's average Medicare payment per service is $119. 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. Polo) 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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