Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Walter Chmelewski, M.D.
Optician · Raleigh, 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. Chmelewski 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. Chmelewski
Dr. Walter Chmelewski is an optician specialist in Raleigh, NC, with 20 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Chmelewski performed 30,865 Medicare services across 2,463 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Chmelewski received a total of $4,808 from 34 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 296 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in optician. 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. Chmelewski 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
$4,808 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗30,865
Medicare services
Top 3% in NC for optician
2,463
Unique beneficiaries
$21
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~1,543 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infliximab infusion (Remicade) An injection of infliximab, excluding biosimilar versions, administered in a 10 mg dose. |
10,180 | $26 | $101 |
| Golimumab infusion (Simponi Aria) Administration of golimumab medication directly into a vein. This code specifies the dosage amount of 1 milligram for intravenous delivery. |
8,600 | $10 | $33 |
| Denosumab injection (Prolia/Xgeva) | 6,661 | $18 | $25 |
| 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. |
978 | $83 | $156 |
| 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. |
876 | $1 | $62 |
| Additional hour of intravenous chemotherapy This code represents the administration of chemotherapy medication into a vein for each additional hour beyond the initial period. |
319 | $21 | $84 |
| Intravenous chemotherapy infusion, 1 hour or less Administration of chemotherapy medication directly into a vein. The procedure takes one hour or less to complete. |
312 | $95 | $250 |
| 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. |
295 | $8 | $40 |
| Autoimmune disorder antibody test A laboratory test that measures antibodies in the blood to help assess for autoimmune disorders. |
273 | $17 | $30 |
| Liver function blood test panel | 235 | $8 | $60 |
| 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. |
232 | $5 | $24 |
| Steroid injection (triamcinolone) A 10 mg injection of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication. This code specifies the drug and dosage administered. |
218 | $1 | $15 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube to detect inflammation in the body. This specific method is performed manually rather than using an automated machine. |
185 | $4 | $25 |
| 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. |
177 | $5 | $46 |
| Comprehensive metabolic blood panel A blood test that measures a group of chemicals, including glucose, electrolytes, and kidney and liver function markers. |
129 | $10 | $20 |
| 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. |
127 | $46 | $170 |
| 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. |
120 | $11 | $30 |
| Joint injection, major joint Removal of fluid from a large joint and/or injection of medication into the joint space. |
100 | $46 | $127 |
| 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. |
87 | $11 | $71 |
| Zoledronic acid injection, 1 mg An injection of zoledronic acid administered at a dose of 1 mg. |
85 | $6 | $200 |
| Office visit for established patient An office visit for an existing patient that may not require the healthcare professional to be present. |
82 | $15 | $73 |
| Vitamin D level test A blood test to measure the amount of Vitamin D-3 in your body. |
75 | $29 | $65 |
| Blood draw (venipuncture) Insertion of a needle into a vein to collect a blood sample. |
68 | $8 | $11 |
| 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. |
62 | $56 | $121 |
| Rheumatoid factor level | 61 | $5 | $18 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis antibody test A blood test to measure antibodies used in assessing rheumatoid arthritis. |
60 | $13 | $30 |
| New patient office visit, complex (60-74 min) | 59 | $147 | $297 |
| 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. |
42 | $35 | $210 |
| 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. |
39 | $13 | $55 |
| Measurement of dna antibody, single stranded | 39 | $12 | $40 |
| 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. |
25 | $40 | $96 |
| 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. |
23 | $94 | $297 |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine, cell culture-derived A flu shot that protects against four strains of the influenza virus. It is produced using cell culture technology rather than traditional egg-based methods. |
14 | $32 | $35 |
| Flu vaccine administration This procedure involves the administration of the influenza virus vaccine. It covers the process of delivering the vaccine to the patient. |
14 | $24 | $25 |
| 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. |
13 | $4 | $35 |
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.
65.1% high complexity
24.2% medium
10.7% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$4,808
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $687/year across 7 years
Top 25% in NC for optician
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
34
Companies
296
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
$4,808 (100.0%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$536
2023
$376
2022
$229
2021
$211
2020
$353
2019
$1,382
2018
$1,722
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$73
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$68
Amgen Inc.
$62
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$54
Novo Nordisk Inc
$38
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$33
GENZYME CORPORATION
$31
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$26
Lilly USA, LLC
$25
Celgene Corporation
$23
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$21
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$20
PFIZER INC.
$20
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
$16
Grifols USA, LLC
$13
Abbott Laboratories
$13
Top 3 companies account for 38.0% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
Janssen Biotech, Inc.
$568
PFIZER INC.
$531
GlaxoSmithKline, LLC.
$486
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.
$423
AbbVie, Inc.
$421
Amgen Inc.
$285
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$264
UCB, Inc.
$213
Genentech USA, Inc.
$181
Horizon Pharma plc
$176
Celgene Corporation
$174
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$164
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$153
Lilly USA, LLC
$119
AbbVie Inc.
$91
Radius Health, Inc.
$77
GENZYME CORPORATION
$66
Boston Scientific Corporation
$57
Novo Nordisk Inc
$38
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$34
Sobi, Inc
$34
MEDAC PHARMA, INC.
$33
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
$32
MEDEXUS PHARMA, INC.
$24
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION
$21
Aurinia Pharma U.S., Inc.
$21
Daiichi Sankyo Inc.
$20
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA
$17
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
$16
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc
$16
Grifols USA, LLC
$13
Abbott Laboratories
$13
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals
$13
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$12
Top 3 companies account for 33.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
Actemra · BENLYSTA · COSENTYX · Cimzia · DUEXIS · DUPIXENT · DUZALLO · EVENITY · Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra Transcatheter Heart Valve · Enbrel · FORTEO · HUMIRA · Humira · INFLECTRA · INJECTAFER · JARDIANCE · KEVZARA · KEVZARA SARILUMAB INJECTION · KRYSTEXXA · Kineret · LUPKYNIS · Mitigare · ORENCIA · PROCLAIM · Prolastin-C Liquid · Prolia · RAYOS · REMICADE · RENFLEXIS · RINVOQ · Rasuvo · Rinvoq · Rituxan · Rybelsus · SIMPONI · SIMPONI ARIA · Strensiq · TALTZ · TREMFYA · Tymlos · Uloric · Wegovy · 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
Opticians within 10 mi
236
Per 100K population
20.5
County median income
$101,763
Nearest hospital
REX HOSPITAL
2.6 mi
2.6 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. Chmelewski is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 3% in NC), 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. Chmelewski experienced with infliximab infusion (remicade)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Chmelewski performed 10,180 infliximab infusion (remicade) 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. Chmelewski receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Chmelewski received a total of $4,808 from 34 companies across 296 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. Chmelewski's costs compare to other opticians in Raleigh?
Dr. Chmelewski's average Medicare payment per service is $21. 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. Chmelewski) 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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