Medicare Enrolled
Dr. David Thornton, MD
Pulmonary Disease · Pinehurst, 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. Thornton 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 →
Are you Dr. Thornton?
Request a correction or review of any data shown here. Provider portal →
What this data tells you about Dr. Thornton
Dr. David Thornton is a pulmonary disease specialist in Pinehurst, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Thornton performed 7,168 Medicare services across 3,191 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Thornton received a total of $9,462 from 57 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 532 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in pulmonary disease. 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. Thornton 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 3% volume in NC
$9,462 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗7,168
Medicare services
Top 3% in NC for pulmonary disease
3,191
Unique beneficiaries
$38
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~358 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) A contrast agent containing 300-399 mg/ml of iodine used to enhance imaging studies. It is administered per milliliter to improve the visibility of internal structures. |
3,340 | $0 | $1 |
| Pulmonary gas exchange test A test to examine how well the lungs exchange gases. |
466 | $39 | $285 |
| Chest X-ray, 2 views An X-ray imaging test of the chest that captures two different angles to visualize the lungs, heart, and chest wall. |
357 | $16 | $91 |
| Lung volume test using sensors A test that measures the amount of air in the lungs using sensors. |
306 | $38 | $208 |
| Airflow rate measurement test A test that measures the rate of airflow. This procedure assesses how quickly air moves. |
267 | $26 | $140 |
| 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. |
246 | $91 | $196 |
| 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. |
239 | $11 | $40 |
| 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. |
214 | $57 | $900 |
| Spirometry test before and after medication A test that measures the amount of air you can exhale and the speed of your breathing before and after taking a medication. |
208 | $27 | $195 |
| Exercise-induced lung stress test A test performed to evaluate how the lungs function during physical exertion. It helps identify breathing difficulties or lung conditions that occur specifically when exercising. |
200 | $24 | $200 |
| Artery puncture collection of blood sample | 167 | $19 | $185 |
| Blood gas test with oxygen saturation A test that measures the levels of gases in the blood, including oxygen saturation. |
167 | $77 | $134 |
| Carboxyhemoglobin level test A blood test that measures the amount of carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin in the blood. |
153 | $12 | $85 |
| Methemoglobin level test A blood test that measures the amount of methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen effectively. This quantitative analysis helps determine the level of methemoglobin in the blood. |
152 | $8 | $63 |
| Sleep study in sleep lab (age 6+) An overnight test conducted in a sleep laboratory to monitor sleep patterns and bodily functions in patients aged 6 years or older. |
142 | $446 | $1,500 |
| Sleep study with continuous airway pressure, age 6+ A sleep study conducted in a sleep lab that monitors breathing and other body functions while administering continuous airway pressure. This test is performed on patients aged 6 years or older. |
141 | $467 | $1,750 |
| 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. |
122 | $131 | $260 |
| 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. |
54 | $85 | $327 |
| Home sleep test with portable monitor An unattended sleep study performed at home using a portable monitor that records breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels. |
45 | $68 | $1,237 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12-lead A standard heart rhythm test using at least 12 leads to record electrical activity. A healthcare provider interprets the results and provides a written report. |
39 | $11 | $88 |
| Echocardiogram, transthoracic An ultrasound of the heart that uses color to show blood flow, rate, direction, and valve function. |
24 | $90 | $605 |
| CT scan of chest with contrast A computed tomography scan of the chest using a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of internal structures. |
20 | $80 | $1,000 |
| Overnight continuous oxygen level test This test measures oxygen levels in the blood continuously overnight using a device attached to the ear or finger. |
19 | $19 | $105 |
| Nitric oxide gas level test A test that measures the level of nitric oxide gas in the body. |
19 | $14 | $35 |
| CT scan of chest blood vessels with contrast A CT scan that uses contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the chest. |
17 | $122 | $905 |
| Hospital follow-up visit, high complexity Subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care for an existing patient involving high-level medical decision making, with at least 50 minutes total time on the date of the encounter. |
17 | $93 | $200 |
| Exercise stress test A test that monitors the heart and lungs while the patient exercises to evaluate their function under physical stress. |
16 | $95 | $500 |
| 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. |
11 | $129 | $296 |
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.
0.3% high complexity
57.2% medium
42.5% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$9,462
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $1,352/year across 7 years
Top 16% in NC for pulmonary disease
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
57
Companies
532
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
$9,406 (99.4%)
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$55 (0.6%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$1,762
2023
$1,965
2022
$1,138
2021
$613
2020
$588
2019
$1,997
2018
$1,397
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$214
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$177
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
$161
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$144
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$114
JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$95
Genentech USA, Inc.
$78
Baxter Healthcare
$69
Insmed, Inc.
$63
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$62
Mylan Specialty L.P.
$55
Amgen Inc.
$54
PFIZER INC.
$54
GENZYME CORPORATION
$53
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$49
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$38
United Therapeutics Corporation
$34
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
$33
Lilly USA, LLC
$32
Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, LLC
$30
Grifols USA, LLC
$25
Eisai Inc.
$22
Exelixis Inc.
$22
Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$20
Pulmonx Corporation
$19
Incyte Corporation
$17
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$15
Vifor Pharma, Inc.
$13
Top 3 companies account for 31.3% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$1,012
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$798
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$690
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
$665
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$586
Grifols USA, LLC
$581
Mylan Specialty L.P.
$469
JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$414
Amgen Inc.
$301
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
$293
Genentech USA, Inc.
$270
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
$263
Insmed, Inc.
$251
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
$235
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$208
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$190
United Therapeutics Corporation
$181
Lilly USA, LLC
$170
GENZYME CORPORATION
$166
Seagen Inc.
$164
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$154
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$136
Baxter Healthcare
$116
Shire North American Group Inc
$114
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$100
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$55
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$55
PFIZER INC.
$54
CSL Behring
$53
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$48
Eisai Inc.
$47
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$46
SERVIER PHARMACEUTICALS LLC
$45
Circassia Pharmaceuticals Inc
$43
SCPHARMACEUTICALS INC.
$40
Incyte Corporation
$35
Exelixis Inc.
$35
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
$33
Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, LLC
$30
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$26
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$23
BeiGene USA, Inc.
$23
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC
$21
Boston Scientific Corporation
$20
Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$20
Pulmonx Corporation
$19
Chiesi USA, Inc.
$18
Celgene Corporation
$17
EISAI INC.
$17
Electromed, Inc.
$15
ADVANCED RESPIRATORY, INC
$15
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$15
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc
$15
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$14
Vifor Pharma, Inc.
$13
PORTOLA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
$11
Advanced Respiratory, Inc
$11
Top 3 companies account for 26.4% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
(7999) SRC Und · (8874) inCourage · ACTHAR · ADCETRIS · ALIMTA · ANORO · AREXVY · Adempas · Alecensa · Aliqopa · Arcalyst · Arikayce · BEVESPI AEROSPHERE · BEVYXXA · BREO ELLIPTA · BREZTRI · BRUKINSA · CABOMETYX · CHARTIS CATHETER · CUVITRU · CYRAMZA · DARZALEX · DUPIXENT · Dymista · Esbriet · FASENRA · FOTIVDA · FRUZAQLA · FUROSCIX · GLASSIA · HYQVIA · Hillrom - ABPM 6100 Blood Pressure Monitor · Hillrom - Life 2000 Ventilation System · Hillrom - Vest System Model 105 Home Care · Hizentra · IMFINZI · INJECTAFER · INLYTA · INSPIRE · KENGREAL · KEYTRUDA · LONHALA MAGNAIR · LUMAKRAS · LUMRYZ · Lenvima · MONJUVI · MULTAQ · NINLARO · NUCALA · NUZYRA · OCTAGAM IMMUNE GLOBULIN (HUMAN) · OFEV · OPSUMIT · OPSUMIT MACITENTAN · ORENITRAM · PADCEV · Privigen · Prolastin-C Liquid · RETEVMO · Respiratoriy Care Undiv · Revlimid · SMARTVEST · SPIRIVA RESPIMAT · STIOLTO · STIOLTO RESPIMAT · SYMBICORT · Sunosi · TAGRISSO · TEZSPIRE · TRELEGY ELLIPTA · TUDORZA PRESSAIR · TUKYSA · TYVASO · The Vest System Model 105 Home Care · Tibsovo · Trilogy 100 · UPTRAVI · UTIBRON NEOHALER · VERQUVO · VOTRIENT · Veltassa · Vitrakvi · WAINUA · WATCHMAN Access System · WINREVAIR · Wellcentive Undiv · XARELTO · XOLAIR · XYWAV · Xembify · Xolair · YUPELRI · Yupelri · ZEPZELCA · ZERBAXA · inCourage
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 (99%) are for meals and travel — low-value interactions that are common across virtually all practicing physicians.
Geographic Context
Pulmonary diseases within 10 mi
9
Per 100K population
8.8
County median income
$82,837
Nearest hospital
FIRSTHEALTH MOORE REGIONAL 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. Thornton is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in NC), with low-engagement industry engagement in the top 16% 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. Thornton experienced with contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Thornton performed 3,340 contrast dye for imaging (iodine-based) 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. Thornton receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Thornton received a total of $9,462 from 57 companies across 532 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. Thornton's costs compare to other pulmonary diseases in Pinehurst?
Dr. Thornton's average Medicare payment per service is $38. 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. Thornton) 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 →
Explore related providers
Specialty guide
Understanding Pulmonary Disease
Common procedures, typical costs, and what industry payments mean in pulmonary disease.
Same specialty & city
Pulmonary Diseases in Pinehurst
Browse pulmonary diseases in Pinehurst ranked by procedure volume and transparency data.
Highest volume
Top Pulmonary Diseases in NC
Pulmonary diseases ranked by total Medicare services performed statewide.
Industry payments
Pharma Payments to Pulmonary Diseases in NC
Which NC pulmonary diseases receive the most from drug and device companies.
By company
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
By company
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
By company
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Payments to Doctors
See all physicians who received payments from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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.
Provider corrections: Provider portal · Privacy questions: Privacy Policy · Terms: Terms of Use · Methodology: Methodology